MANIK MEHTA: Fear and dread have gripped the Indian community in Germany following Neo-Nazi attacks on immigrants.
The community has been particularly shaken by attacks on two Indian nationals last autumn in the Bavanan city of Bamberg.
There are some 35,000 Indians in the country apart from about 1,000 others who have sought asylum.
“Whether it is the Turks or any other community, colored immigrants are the targets of such attacks. A wild mob does not distinguish between Indians, Pakistanis or any other colored people,” said Chandra Mahtani, an Indian businessman based in Dusseldorf.
Mahtani, who runs a successful leather garment and shoe business and is a prominent member of the Indian community in Dusseldorf, Cologne and Bonn, called for increased interaction between the community and the Indian embassy in Bonn in the wake of the attacks.
Although “the quality of service” at the Indian embassy in Bonn has improved since the arrival of ambassador KKS Rana last year, he lamented that it was not doing anything to prevent such violence.
He felt the Indian community in Germany was poorly organized, “We have no contingency plans in the event of serious trouble corrupting, and the embassy should plan and take preventive measures. What good would it be to do something after a disaster has happened?” he said.
Mahtani said other nationals such as the Japanese, who have strong base in Dusseldorf, have been closely monitoring the situation and have prepared contingency plans in the event of mass violence, “There is an urgent need for the embassy to coordinate between the Indian community and the local police. We need to form a special group comprising representatives of the Indian community and the embassy who would not only inform and keep in close contact with Indians but also rise with the authorities,” Mahtani suggested.
He expressed deep concern over the possibility that the second generation of young Indians may grow up in a state of fear. “It’s a bad thing. Indian children will not grow up in normal conditions in this country. The constant fear in their minds will prove to be an inhibiting factor for their healthy mental development,” he added.
He said physical safety had now compounded the long list of difficulties Indians face.
Article extracted from this publication >> July 30, 1993
