Indonesian MOFA Ensures No Indonesian Citizens are Affected by Riots in India

Jakarta, InfoPublik - Spokesperson for the Foreign Affairs Ministry (MOFA) Teuku Faizasyah, ensured that no Indonesian citizens were affected by riots in New Delhi, India.

"The condition of Indonesian citizens is good and there are no special reports," said Faizasyah, in his written statement, Saturday (29/2/2020).

According to him, Foreign Affairs Ministry through Director General of Asia, the Pacific and Africa, has summoned Indian Ambassador Pradeep Kumar Rawat. In addition to asking about the latest situation, Foreign Affairs Ministry of also expressed concern over the riots in New Delhi.

Faizasyah said that the Indonesian government was fully convinced that the Indian Government would be able to overcome the situation and maintain harmony between religions. Indonesia and India, he said, have a number of things in common.

Previously, the death toll in riots of religious background in New Delhi, India, had risen to 21 people. Supreme Court judges were among those who criticized the failure of the police to stop pro-government mobs beating Muslims on the streets, shouting Hindu nationalist slogans and burning Muslim shops and houses.

Until now, only one person has been arrested on suspicion of participating in the riots.

Chief Minister of Delhi Arvind Kejriwal called the violence that had lasted for three days "alarming" and said police had lost public confidence.

The number of victims injured in the clashes, both Hindu and Muslim, has risen sharply, exceeding 250. Hospital officials said they treated many victims of gunshot wounds, while others were beaten with sticks, suffered stab wounds or were injured from jumping from a height.

Clashes first broke out on Sunday, 23 February 2020, between demonstrators who supported the new Indian citizenship law and those who opposed it.

The Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), which provides amnesty for non-Muslim immigrants from the three closest Muslim-majority countries - Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh raised concerns that India's secular status is in danger, and critics say the CAA discriminates against Muslims.

The riots were the deadliest communal violence in the capital since 1984, when thousands of Sikhs were mass killed after Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was killed by his bodyguards, who were Sikhs. (Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

Reporter: Eko Budiono

Translator: Siti Chodijah