Namma Ooru, but why can't it be their city

Have racial attacks become part of the city's landscape? With two separate incidents taking place in rapid succession, perhaps it's time to take stock of our willingness to integrate diverse cultures with our own. Police blame strained relations with the African community on the latter's involvement in various crimes but experts say the problem is far more complex. Shrinivasa M. talks to members of various communities to understand whether or not they feel at home.

It was not too long ago that Bengalureans were accused of mistreating African students, who are in the city for their education, especially in areas like Kammanahalli where several have their colleges and lodgings. Now the spectre of racism has returned to  haunt the city with  a student from Arunachal Pradesh allegedly being beaten up by his landlord and the police accused of being responsible for the death of a Nigerian, who, it claims, fell off a bike when it skidded close to where it was waiting to nab a drug peddlar.

While the African community is not buying the police’s denials of  foul play in the death of the  Nigerian, Ifyeani Madu, 28, the Christ College student, Higio Gungtey, 20, has accused his landlord of making racist comments while beating him up, much to the dismay of others from the north east, who have made the city their home  for years.      

The police often blames strained relations between the Africans and the local communities on drunk driving by the former and the involvement of a few in drug peddling and sex rackets. Some of them are also over-staying in the country, it points out. But on the other hand, many colleges in the city are believed to be duping African students with promises of quality education, when they have neither the required infrastructure nor quality teachers.

Social scientist, Prof. G K Karanth, is careful not to label any attack on either Africans or others as racist, saying the incidents must be carefully analysed before any conclusion is drawn . Pointing out that Jamaican cricketer, Chris Gayle has millions of fans in Bengaluru, he reasons the city cannot be as racist as it is sometimes made out to be. “There could be multiple reasons why some Nigerians are  attacked, including their possible involvement in anti- social activities like cyber crime and drug peddling,” he says.

As for the attack on the student from Arunachal Pradesh, he feels it doesn’t seem racist on the face of it  as the landlord did take him in as a tenant. "When a landlord gives a house on rent to a boy from the north east and later abuses him,  it does not necessarily  mean he is being racist. If he was racist he would never have given his house to him on rent in the first place,” he reasons.

While the professor has his own take on the recent sorry incidents in the city, several other Bengalureans feel they must be investigated thoroughly to make sure that no one gets off scot free.  Notes a retired bureaucrat, who has served in different government departments, "Most of the African nationals come to the city for higher education and are exploited by the local colleges in many ways. They are in the majority and only a handful get involved in various kinds of anti-social activity.”

In his view, if colleges are directed to streamline their admissions, a lot of these problems will go away.  But if some of these students are involved in drug peddling and so on, then this too must be stopped, he underlines.

Bengaluru is beautiful, haven’t faced any hostility: Amika Limbu, a resident of Manipur, HR Professional
“I have been staying in Bengaluru for the  last nine years. I studied in a city college and later got a job here.  In all these years I have become a Bengalureans in the real sense and have never faced any racial discrimination. Although  I often have problems with auto drivers and  vendors,  this has  nothing to do with my identity as a girl from Manipur, but more to do with issues of  civic discipline.

As a student I stayed in a college hostel and travelled across the city for projects, seminars and surveys. After completing my graduation I moved to paying guest accommodations in several places and then into an apartment with friends. Although I am from Manipur and a girl, I haven’t  faced any hostility from the locals. I had good friends both in college and in the companies that I have worked in and my landlords have always been respectful. I have also travelled across South India for professional reasons and today I have more friends here than in my own state.

But it would be wrong to say that everything is okay. It could be that a  few people are facing problems due to issues like the language . This problem haunts us when we interact with auto drivers and push cart vendors. But it has nothing do with our identities as such problem are common to most parts of the country. A traveller from Bengaluru may be abused by an auto driver in a north east hill station. But that does not mean it is racial abuse. It is just typical human  behaviour. I also read in newspapers about locals abusing locals and local students being targeted in colleges.

Finally, I have a request.  South Indians have a peculiar prejudice against people from the north east. They believe we drink and are easy going.  But it is not true. We are like any other human beings. Please treat everyone with care.

Africans are  abused, attacked because of the way we look: Justin Thomas, a graduate student
Thousands of people from Africa come to India for higher education due to various factors, one being that it offers affordable quality education. Also, all Indian degrees are honoured in African countries and the students feel safe in India.  But the majority prefer Karnataka (not Bengaluru alone) as it has  the highest number of ICT and para medical colleges.

Many blame the violence against African students in Karnataka on their alleged involvement in anti- social activities like drug peddling. But if that was true why were two young African girl students  attacked near a town in Shivamogga recently?

If the violence continues against African students  we may have to find an alternative country to go to.  We travel thousands of kilometers for our education here and  have our dreams about our future. But we are often attacked and abused just because of the way we look. Only a handful of people do this, but they bring a bad name to the entire city.  There are numerous incidents of  African students being cheated by  educational institutes in Bengaluru. Many colleges dupe them by charging them a hefty fee and offering unauthorised courses. Students often realise this only at the  fag end of their study. We hope these issues will be resolved in days to come. days all these issues will be resolved.