VK Singh claimed that attack on Africans in Delhi was a "minor scuffle" which was "blown up" by the media.
Highlights
- Union Minister questioned media's 'motive' for 'blowing up minor scuffle'
- There has been a spate of attacks on Africans over the past week
- Foreign Minister discussed safety of Africans in India with Home Minister
Union Minister VK Singh today claimed the attack on Africans in the national capital was a "minor scuffle" which was "blown up" by the media.
"Had detailed discussion with Delhi Police and found that media blowing up minor scuffle as attack on Africans in Rajpur Khurd," Mr Singh, who is the junior minister in External Affairs Ministry, said and questioned the media's "motive".
"Why is media doing this? As responsible citizens let us question them and their motives," he said in a series of tweets.
Union Minister VK Singh and Delhi Police Commissioner Alok Kumar Verma with village members in Chattarpur.
There has been a spate of attacks on Africans in the last few days including killing of a Congolese youth in national capital and assault on a 23-year-old Nigerian student in Hyderabad.
Two women -- one from Uganda and the other from South Africa -- and at least two Nigerian men in Rajpur Khurd, a village in South Delhi, have also complained about physical assault and criminal intimidation.
Village members from South Delhi's Chattarpur meet Union Minister VK Singh and Delhi Police Commissioner Alok Kumar Verma.
His remarks came on a day External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj pressed for ensuring safety of Africans as she spoke to Home Minister Rajnath Singh who directed Delhi
Police to take strict action against the attackers and step up patrolling in the areas inhabited by the community.
Ms Swaraj said a sensitisation campaign will be carried out in the areas where Africans reside.
She also asked VK Singh and Secretary in MEA Amar Sinha to meet the African students who have announced holding of a demonstration at Jantar Mantar on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, four persons were today arrested and four others detained by Delhi Police in connection with alleged assault on African nationals in South Delhi's Mehrauli area.