sushma swaraj kidney transplant
Sushma Swaraj [Representational Image]Wikimedia commons

UPDATE: 3:28 p.m. IST — General Vijay Kumar Singh, the minister of state for external affairs, in a series of tweets about the attacks on African nationals in Delhi, has said that he "had detailed discussion with Delhi Police and found that media blowing up minor scuffle as attack on African nationals in Rajpur Khurd. Why is media doing this? As responsible citizens let us question them and their motives."

Original Story —

In light of the recent attacks on African nationals in India's capital city of New Delhi, Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj said in a series of tweets that she had spoken with Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Delhi Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung regarding the attacks and was assured that culprits would soon be arrested.

Swaraj also added that sensitization campaigns would be launched in areas where Africans reside.

According to NDTV, African students have planned to hold a demonstration at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on Tuesday to protest against the attacks. Swaraj has said in a tweet that she has asked minister of state General VK Singh and Secretary Amar Sinha to meet those students.

Minister of Home Affairs Rajnath Singh also condemned the attack and said in a series of tweets that he has spoken with the Commissioner of Police Delhi about "the incident of physical assault against certain African nationals" in the capital and has instructed him "to take strict action against the attackers & increase police patrolling in these areas to ensure security of everyone."

Seven African nationals, including four women, were allegedly attacked within a span of half an hour in south Delhi's Mehrauli area on Thursday night, the Indian Express reported. The victims, who were attacked with iron rods, cricket bats and sharp-edged weapons, claimed that the attacks were racist and pre-planned.

However, Deputy Commissioner of Police (South) Ishwar Singh denied the claim and was quoted by NDTV as saying that the attacks were "isolated incidents and not planned attacks. There was no element of racism in the attacks. It's not as if there's a public movement against African nationals." He also added that the Africans were attacked at different locations, at different times and for different reasons.

A week ago, Congo national Masonda Ketada Olivier was beaten to death following an argument over hiring an auto-rickshaw in south Delhi's Vasant Kunj area.

Vikas Swarup, official spokesperson of the India's Ministry of External Affairs, said in a series of tweets: "In the unfortunate death of Mr. Masunda Oliver, the Government will assist his family to travel to India to receive his mortal remains. We will also arrange for his mortal remains to be transported to DR Congo at our expense."