President Higgins condemns "despicable attacks" against Indian community in Ireland

In a statement released today, President Michael D. Higgins has said recent acts of violence against Indians in Ireland are "despicable" and "diminish all of us."

The statement followed a series of attacks on members of the Indian community in Ireland: In July, an Indian man in Dublin was slashed with a knife, stripped naked and left bleeding in the street by a group of teenagers while on his way to pray. On August 6, another man was brutally beaten and robbed while cycling to work in Dublin. On the same day, a six-year-old Indian girl was punched and verbally assaulted by a group of boys in Waterford.

President Higgins began his statement by thanking the Indian community for all they've done for Ireland.

"We are all mindful of the immense contribution this community has made, and continues to make, to so many aspects of Irish life, in medicine, nursing, the caring professions, in cultural life, in business and enterprise, to cite just some," Higgins wrote.

"Their presence, their work, their culture, have been a source of enrichment and generosity to our shared life."

Higgins described his recent meeting with Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Minister of External Affairs of India, in which the two discussed their nations's shared histories and decades of healthy political relations.

He went on to address the attacks, which he said "stand in stark contradiction to the values that we as a people hold dear."

"That any person in Ireland, particularly any young person, should be drawn into such behaviour through manipulation or provocation is to be unequivocally condemned," Higgins wrote.

"Whether such provocation stems from ignorance or from malice, it is essential to acknowledge the harm that it is causing. Such acts diminish all of us and obscure the immeasurable benefits the people of India have brought to the life of this country."

Higgins cited the important role of migration in Ireland's history and said that Irish people who emigrated elsewhere often depended on "the generosity of strangers." He wrote that the shared experience of migration must be considered in how Irish people treat those who have migrated to Ireland, adding, "To forget that is to lose a part of ourselves."

"Our shared spaces — including social media platforms — should never be poisoned from messages of hate or incitement to violence," Higgins wrote.

"Such messages not only target individuals, but also damage and corrode the most fundamental and enduring instincts of Irishness: those of hospitality, friendship, and care for others. These principles must apply to all who form part of Irish society today, without exception. An Ireland that honours these values is one in which all communities can live in safety, dignity, and mutual respect."

President Higgins' statement follows the cancellation of the India Day festival at Farmleigh in the Phoenix Park, with the Ireland India Council citing fears over safety.

After a meeting with Tánaiste Simon Harris, Ireland India Council chair Prashant Shuki said the situation for holding India Day "is not conducive" following the attacks. Shuki explained the council thoroughly considered the situation, consulting with gardaí about safety, before making what he said was a very difficult decision.

Harris said the attacks need to be "called out and condemned by all," calling them "despicable."

Indian member of parliament Shashi Tharoor responded to the attacks in a video circulated by the European Department of the Dr. Harry Edwards International Foundation on Sport for Social Good.

"I am deeply concerned to hear about the recent incidents of racist violence targeting the Indian diaspora in Ireland," Tharoor said.

"Such acts of hatred are a stain on any community and have no place in civil society."

Referring to a recent initiative of the Foundation to utilise cricket to combat racism, Tharoor added, "Let me say to my brothers and sisters in Ireland, please know that you are not standing on a sticky wicket alone.

"The entire nation of India is with you. We will not let the forces of hatred deliver a bouncer without us standing in solidarity with you to uphold the values of dignity, equality and respect. Let's ensure that racism is run out of our societies and that we continue to fight until we achieve a victory against this evil. All the best to all of you in Ireland."

Read the full statement below:

"As President of Ireland, may I take the opportunity at this time of stress for some of their community to express the deep sense of gratitude we all in Ireland owe to the Indian community here. We are all mindful of the immense contribution this community has made, and continues to make, to so many aspects of Irish life, in medicine, nursing, the caring professions, in cultural life, in business and enterprise, to cite just some. Their presence, their work, their culture, have been a source of enrichment and generosity to our shared life.

Ireland’s connections with India are neither recent nor superficial. Earlier this year, I met with the Minister of External Affairs of India, Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, and we discussed how much our histories share the experience of paths towards independence, the role of Irish woman Margaret Cousins in establishing the All India Women’s Conference, the exchange of expertise as both countries drafted and agreed our Constitutions, and the fostering of diplomatic and political relationships over the decades, relationships which remain vibrant today.

The recent despicable attacks on members of the Indian community stand in stark contradiction to the values that we as a people hold dear. That any person in Ireland, particularly any young person, should be drawn into such behaviour through manipulation or provocation is to be unequivocally condemned. Whether such provocation stems from ignorance or from malice, it is essential to acknowledge the harm that it is causing. Such acts diminish all of us and obscure the immeasurable benefits the people of India have brought to the life of this country.

Ireland has long been shaped by migration, both outward and inward. Those who left our shores carried our culture and values into faraway lands, often depending on the generosity of strangers. That shared human experience should remain at the heart of how we treat those who have come to make their lives here. To forget that is to lose a part of ourselves.

Our shared spaces — including social media platforms — should never be poisoned from messages of hate or incitement to violence. Such messages not only target individuals, but also damage and corrode the most fundamental and enduring instincts of Irishness: those of hospitality, friendship, and care for others.

These principles must apply to all who form part of Irish society today, without exception. An Ireland that honours these values is one in which all communities can live in safety, dignity, and mutual respect."