Attacks on Africans: Avoid intemperate statements, says Congress

Against the backdrop of Goa Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar's remarks against Nigerians, the Congress on Friday underlined the need to exercise caution before singling out any country and said an 'intemperate' remark could have an adverse bearing on the international relations.

Parsekar had stated that people are "annoyed" with Nigerians because of their "different attitude" and that his government was looking for a place to detain foreigners illegally staying in Goa. His remarks came at a time when a number of African nationals were attacked in a spate of incidents in Delhi.

"We cannot single out a person or a nation. We need to be very careful when we make a statement. We need to be very careful in these days of globalisation," said Leader of Opposition in the Goa Legislative Assembly Pratapsinh Rane. He said targeting a particular country is not right.

"We have so many Indians residing in Africa. I agree that a law breaker is a law breaker and should be punished, but you cannot single out a person," the former chief minister said.

Advising caution, he said, "We need to be responsible about what we speak. Whatever is being built up (in the field of international relations) can be spoiled overnight." Before Parsekar, state Tourism Minister Dilip Parulekar had sparked a row when he said that Nigerians are "problems not only in the coastal state but also across the country."