In a string of incidents, Indian students have been assaulted in northern Italy. While the Consulate General of India (CGI) in Milan issued an advisory to Indian students and asked them not to panic on Tuesday, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said it has been a case of robbery and not racial attack.
“The Consulate has received reports of unfortunate incidents of attacks on Indian students in Milan. All Indian students are urged not to panic. The Consulate is taking up this matter with the highest level of law and order authorities in Milan,” according to the advisory posted on Twitter.
The CGI advised Indian students to be in touch with each other, especially when they go out. It also advised students to spread information among other students from India about the areas where they have experienced “such incidents” so that those areas can be avoided. However, it did not mention if the attacks on Indian students appeared to be racially motivated.
In New Delhi, Sushma Swaraj said she had received a detailed report about the incidents. “Attack on Indian students in Milan: I have got the detailed report. Please do not worry. I am monitoring the situation personally,” Swaraj tweeted.
Swaraj also said that she has spoken to a victim. “He has told me that this was a case of robbery and not a racial attack,” she said.