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| Edited By: Shastri Ramachandaran |Source: DNA |Updated: May 28, 2016, 08:05 AM IST
The decision of African envoys to boycott the celebration of Africa Day in India on May 25 to condemn rising Afrophobia could not have come at a more inopportune time for the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
This unprecedented international rebuff was delivered by 54 countries of the African Union when the BJP was in full celebratory flow over its election victory in Assam and completion of two years in office. It came at a time when the hype over Modi’s upcoming US visit was deflated by American senators raising the issue of religious bigotry and intolerance in India. The diplomatic blow was on the eve of the death anniversary of Jawaharlal Nehru — who is anathema to Modi Sarkar but an iconic and inspiring figure for Africa associated with its struggles against apartheid, colonialism and imperialism. Earlier, in the heat of electioneering, the Prime Minister’s attempt to berate Kerala was not flattering to Somalia.
It was at such a juncture that African envoys, citing the “racism and Afro-phobia” prevalent in India, asked for “Africa Day” celebrations to be put off. In a stinging statement, Eritrean Ambassador and dean of the group, Alem Tsehage Woldemariam said: “Given the pervading climate of fear and insecurity in Delhi, the African Heads of Mission are left with little option than to consider recommending to their governments not to send new students to India, unless and until their safety can be guaranteed.”
Saying that the African Community in India are mourning, the letter exhorted the government to take urgent steps to guarantee the safety of Africans in India, including appropriate programmes of public awareness that would address the problems of racism and Afro-phobia in India.
The trigger for the boycott was the murder of a Congolese national MT Olivia on May 21 in Delhi. This brutality jolted the diplomats into action because of the rising number and frequency of such incidents, and not only in Delhi. The envoys, as much as other Africans especially in Delhi, have faced racist taunts, discrimination and insulting treatment including at the hands of the authorities. In 2014, AAP MLA Somnath Bharti led vigilantes who abused and beat up Nigerian women in Delhi based on wild allegations of their being linked to a drug and sex racket.
The government fielded External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Minister of State VK Singh to assure the envoys of its commitment to ensuring the safety and security of African nationals; and, swift investigation and action whenever an offence was reported. This persuaded the African diplomats to relent and accept participation in the postponed event.
In fairness to Modi Sarkar, it must be stressed that racism and Afrophobia did not erupt under this government. The fact is that, in recent years, it has become uglier, and more virulent. (This parallels the mounting racist attacks and discrimination against people from the Northeast, especially in Delhi).
The indifference of the authorities, especially policemen on the spot, to violence against Africans has been a matter of increasing public concern even before the Modi assumed office. However, under this government, the climate appears more conducive for targeting people perceived as the “enemy other” based on religious, racial, linguistic and pigment prejudices.
And, unfortunately, such incidents are on the rise at a time when the government has gone into overdrive for winning over African nations. The India-Africa Summit held in October 2015 which brought together more than 40 African national leaders was a political and diplomatic landmark.
The event sowed the seeds for reviving and revitalising India’s relations with African countries. Afrophobia and racism can jeopardise the promise and prospects held out by that summit. That should not be allowed to happen.
