The Indian Panorama

Tag: Jaahnavi Kandula

  • Unsafe in the US : Five Indian students dead in five weeks

    The fabled American dream is turning out be a nightmare for one Indian student after another. Syed Mazahir Ali was chased and attacked by unidentified men near his house in Chicago on February 4. The incident has left Ali, who moved to the US from Hyderabad about six months ago, traumatized. The attack comes less than three weeks after another student, Vivek Saini, who had recently received an MBA degree, was hammered to death by a homeless drug addict in Lithonia (Georgia). Sameer Kamath of Purdue University, Indiana, was found dead this week; according to the authorities, he died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Another Purdue student, Neel Acharya, was confirmed dead days after being reported missing, while Akul Dhawan, an 18-year-old who was studying at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, was found dead last month. The death of Shreyas Reddy (19) was reported last week.

    The succession of tragic incidents has raised concerns about the safety and security of Indian students in America. These youngsters, whose parents have spent huge sums of money to send them to the US, are being targeted by petty criminals and drug users/traffickers. There are reports that stress caused by the lack of employment opportunities is pushing some of them to the brink — they are taking drugs or trying to end their lives.

    The worrisome situation calls for greater efforts by the Indian community and diplomatic staff in America to reach out to the students and help them cope with myriad problems. They also need to build pressure on law enforcement agencies to probe the cases in a time-bound manner. Exemplary action against the culprits, including those in uniform, can send out a strong message of zero tolerance to crime. Last year’s Seattle incident, in which a police officer made insensitive remarks over the death of university student Jaahnavi Kandula, showed that the rot ran deep. The US media, which is quick to highlight any kind of hate crime in India, needs to give due attention to the plight of Indian students.
    (Tribune, India)

  • India seeks prompt action as outrage over student’s death in US grows

    India seeks prompt action as outrage over student’s death in US grows

    NEW DELHI/NEW YORK (TIP): India on Thursday, September 14,  sought prompt action against American cops responsible for the death of Jaahnavi Kandula in Seattle in January as outrage grew over her demise and the subsequent shocking camera footage showing a cop laughing at the tragedy.

    The Biden administration on Thursday, September 14,  assured speedy investigation after India’s Ambassador to the US,  Taranjit Singh Sandhu,  strongly raised the issue at the highest level in Washington.

    Kandula, 23, was hit by a speeding police patrol car on 911 duty being driven by officer Kevin Dave on January 23. The Seattle media have reported that Dave was driving at over 119 kph when he caused the accident that flung Kandula 100 feet, injuring her fatally. She was rushed to the hospital but succumbed to injuries.

    The offensive video that has sparked outrage records another cop Daniel Auderer tasked to investigate the accident spot laughing about the fatal crash and saying there was no need for a probe as the deceased was a “regular person whose life had limited value”.

    Auderer is further heard saying “just write a check”. Back in India, Kandula’s family released a statement saying, “It is truly disturbing and saddening to hear insensitive comments made by a Seattle police department officer regarding Jaahnavi’s death. Jaahnavi is a beloved daughter and beyond any dollar value for her mother and family. We firmly believe every human life is invaluable and should not be belittled especially during a tragic loss.” Kandula’s family also questioned the delayed release of body camera footage. The Seattle police department released the footage on Monday citing recognition for public concern and need for transparency. Kandula was a student at Northeastern University and was to graduate this December. She was hit while crossing a street.

    The Indian Consulate in San Francisco had on Wednesday, September 13,  termed as “deeply troubling” the reports on the handling of Kandula’s death. “We have taken up the matter strongly with local authorities in Seattle and Washington state as well as senior officials in Washington DC,” the Consulate said.

    (With inputs from TNS)