Despite the assurance of ministry of external affairs that the government is in touch with US officials and consulate to investigate the assault on Sureshbhai Patel by Alabama police officer, only a council level official from Atlanta has so far visited Sureshbhai's family in Madison. Back in India, Sureshbhai's wife Shakuntalaben is still waiting for Gujarat government to approach her and do something about her visa procedure or at least say a few consoling words.
Despite the assurance of ministry of external affairs that the government is in touch with US officials and consulate to investigate the assault on Sureshbhai Patel by Alabama police officer, only a council level official from Atlanta has so far visited Sureshbhai's family in Madison. Back in India, Sureshbhai's wife Shakuntalaben is still waiting for Gujarat government to approach her and do something about her visa procedure or at least say a few consoling words.
"No one from the Indian government has yet visited us. Only a local council level officer from Atlanta had met me a few days ago during his brief visit to Madison," Chirag, son of Sureshbhai, told dna over telephone.
When dna tried to contact Shakuntalaben at Pij village in Kheda district, the call went unanswered and the mobile was switched off. Her nephew Dakshesh Patel said that no one from Gujarat government has contacted them till today.
"We have received no call or visit from the government. Only media persons are coming to meet her (Shakuntalaben). She is not feeling well today and has even not stepped out of her home. She usually comes to my home in the day time and plays with my kids," Dakshesh Patel, son of Sureshbhai's brother Dineshbhai, said. The joint family lives in the same village, a few blocks away.
Sureshbhai's condition improves
The health condition of 57-year-old Sureshbhai, who was wrongfully assaulted in the US state of Alabama by two police officers that left him partially paralysed, showed improvement, his attorney has said.
Attorney Henry F Sherrod said on Saturday that Sureshbhai Patel could speak but it is a long way to go for his full recovery. "Due to his hard work and motivation, He is improving faster than expected though he has a long way to go," his attorney Henry F Sherrod told PTI.
Sherrod has sued the City of Madison and two police officials on the charges of brutal assault for no fault of his. On the other side, eminent Indian American attorney from New York, Ravi Batra, has volunteered to offer his services to the family of Patel so that he gets justice from the city of Madison.
"Alabama, the site of the infamous Selma March, a march that shocked America and President Lyndon Baines Johnson to pass the Civil Rights laws, including the Voting Rights Act of 1965, has much to atone for before it can be free of its evil and inhuman past. Seems, some of its racist ghosts are alive and well in positions of authority," Batra said to PTI indicating that this was a racist attack.
Indian Americans anguished
Indian Americans have expressed their anger and shock over the incident. Till Sunday evening, the fund set up on gofundme.com by Akash Patel, a community member, had raised nearly USD 155,090 for the medical treatment of Patel, who does not have a health insurance.
Patel, who had come to the US recently to help his son and daughter-in-law with their new baby, does not have a health insurance. His medical bill is alone expected to be more than USD 250,000. Sureshbhai's family is currently trying to determine the medical or medical related expenses they will incur due to this tragic incident. The family is yet to receive bills related to the hospitalisation.
Highlight with the Chirag's photo
"I am very thankful to the Indian community for lending their support to us. I am aware about the funds and if they reach us, we will be using the money for paying medical bills of my father."
Chirag Patel, son of Sureshbhai
Cop's friends too raise funds
Friends of Eric Parker, the officer charged with assaulting Sureshbhai Patel, have launched a fund raising campaign for his expensive legal battle. Till Sunday evening, they had raised more than USD 2,850 as against a target of USD 10,000.
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