India’s Ambassador to Ireland has expressed that the Indian community across the country is feeling deeply uneasy and fearful, following what he described as a series of violent and repeated attacks in recent weeks.
Speaking with reporters at the India Day Festival held in Dublin’s Merrion Square, Akhilesh Mishra said he has been actively working to comfort and reassure concerned members of the community.
“I’m very confident that garda and the political leadership here is very, very supportive.
“They are taking all possible measures to ensure safety of public spaces, and they are taking all measures to give confidence and a welcome feeling to the Indian diaspora. For that, I’m grateful.”
The festival drew hundreds of attendees and was hosted by the Federation of Indian Communities in Ireland.
The organisation’s chairperson, Dr Jásbir Puri Singh, said the Indian community here has learned to mark their own national day by taking inspiration from how St Patrick’s Day is celebrated globally.
“We have the same values, accepting each other. Ireland is a land of a thousand welcomes. We also do the same, any guest who comes to our home is like God.”
Asked how he would respond to concerns from Indians considering moving to Ireland in light of recent incidents, he replied: “It happens all over the world, in every nook and corner of the world it happens, please do come. Irish people are usually friendly and nice, they are nice humble people.”
Festival-goers were treated to music and dance acts on stage throughout the day.
Numerous Indian families posed for group photos.
Among them was Sanjo Mulavaracal, proudly standing with his three Irish-born children, reports RTE.
One of his daughters had just performed the Indian national anthem on violin on stage.
He told RTÉ News that he has lived in Ireland for two decades, reports RTE.
He said he’s always felt welcomed while travelling around the country.
“I’m very happy here, all the time,” reports RTE.
He shared that he’s never personally faced hostility directed at Indians and hasn’t observed any change in how they’re treated recently, reports RTE.
Sweta Varnwal, who moved to Ireland three and a half years ago, described her experience as “absolutely wonderful and blissful”.
“People complain about the weather here but I love the weather here even if it’s raining, I enjoy the rain,” reports RTE.
She also said she hasn’t been on the receiving end of any hostility.
“To me personally, the incidents that have happened are with the teenagers and I wouldn’t call that type of activity specifically against Indians as such.
“It was mostly teenagers causing nuisance around the estate or the places where we were living,” reports RTE.
Schweta Gosavii was enjoying the festivities with her children, who were among the performers.
Having lived in Ireland for ten years, she said she has noticed a shift over the past year, reports RTE.
She recently witnessed a racist incident targeting another passenger on public transport.
“In front of me a nurse was there and one guy, he attacked her, and said some bad words and ‘Go back to India’,” reports RTE.
She said the woman was visibly shaken and in tears, and that she herself was frightened.
“I have kids and I’m also worried about going out, but I hope everything will be sorted out,” reports RTE.
Gardaí were present at the event to engage directly with the Indian community, reports RTE.
Inspector Ciaran Nunan from the Garda National Community Engagement Bureau said they want to hear directly from anyone feeling unsafe.
“We’re very interested in making sure communities are safe and feel safe throughout the country and that’s why we have engagements such as today where we come and engage with communities,” reports RTE.
“We do that with different communities all year round and we encourage the reporting of hate crime,” reports RTE.
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