German parliamentarian condemns attack on Indians back home

Sebastian Edathy, a Member of Bundestag (German Parliament) currently on a visit to India, today condemned the recent attack on Indians by a mob of 50 radical Germans at a fair in Muegeln town, east of Leipzig in Germany.

New Delhi, Aug.22 : Sebastian Edathy, a Member of Bundestag (German Parliament) currently on a visit to India, today condemned the recent attack on Indians by a mob of 50 radical Germans at a fair in Muegeln town, east of Leipzig in Germany.

He expressed his shock over the brutal assault while speaking to reporters here.

It may be recalled that on Monday night, a mob of neo-Nazis turned violent on eight Indians who ultimately hid in a pizzeria till the police arrived on the scene and rescued them.

Later, the police personnel numbering around 70 managed to disperse the mob of 50 Germans.

Voicing his disgust at this attack, Edathy who is of Indian origin and also Chairman of Home Affairs Committee of the Bundestag, blamed the neo-Nazis and other right-wing extremists for the incident.

"Germans are basically democratic, but we have a minority of racist people indulging in anti democratic policies. Their numbers have increased, especially by the increase of neo-Nazis party, with zero tolerance policy," Edathy said.

According to the German police, all the eight Indians were traders and probably seekers of asylum.

"By the incident I am pretty sure that it was a racist event. During the event large number of bystanders were there, who were not active in supporting the victims. I think it is really a scandal and should be investigated very closely," he added.

Among, eight victims, Kulvia Singh an Indian trader was one, who spoke to journalists about his horrific experience.

"Of course we were scared. They were 50 and we were eight, that's quite a difference. They would have killed us if we didn't hide in the pizzeria. In addition, they destroyed everything there. The police looked inside as well. If they (attackers) came into the pizzeria we would possibly have been killed" Singh added, pointing to a bruise on his cheek.

Such attacks based on racism began in eastern Germany after the reunification of East and West Germanys in 1990. Maximum number of attacks was reported during the previous year, 2006.

ANI