Hyderabad: Indian students studying in the United States are increasingly concerned about their safety following a rise in violent attacks and vehicular accidents over the past six months. This growing fear has prompted many to reconsider their plans and routines.
In recent months, several Indian students have faced violent assaults, raising alarms within the community. Twenty-five-year old Vivek Saini was brutally attacked and killed by a homeless man in Georgia on January 16. Shreyas Reddy Benigeri, a 19-year-old student, was found dead in New York. Mohammed Abdul Arfath, a 25-year-old who went missing in Cleveland, was found dead.
Additionally, there has been a troubling number of vehicular accidents involving Indian students. In May, three Indian students, Aryan Joshi, Sriya Avasarala, and Anvi Sharma, lost their lives in a car accident in Alpharetta Georgia, leaving two others critically injured. Belem Atchyuth, an Indian student in New York, met with a motorcycle accident and lost his life. This has further contributed to the insecurity of students in the United States.
Rahul Sharma, a student at the University of California, shared his concerns. “I used to feel safe here, but now I am always looking over my shoulder. It’s hard to focus on my studies when I’m worried about being attacked.”
Another student G. Krishna Reddy, a recent graduate, said “The accidents are just scary. A friend of mine was hit by a car last month. She survived, but it was a close call.” He added “We need better safety measures and more support from the authorities.”
The rise in these incidents has not gone unnoticed by officials. An Indian Embassy spokesperson in the United States said: “We are concerned about the safety of our students. We are working closely with local authorities to ensure that proper measures are taken to protect them. The well-being of our citizens is our top priority.”
Despite these assurances, students like Vaishnavi Rao remain anxious. “I call my family every day to let them know I’m okay. It’s hard for them and for me. We came here to study and build a future, but now safety is a constant worry.”
As the community seeks solutions, students are hoping for action from both the Indian government and local authorities to improve safety for Indian students in the United States.
