This was based on reports that the were “racial prejudice” and “unlawful acts” against some African people at Khirki Extension in South Delhi on Thursday night

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued notices, returnable in three days, to the Delhi Chief Secretary, the Police Commissioner here and the Union Home Secretary, on the reports that the were “racial prejudice” and “unlawful acts” against some African people at Khirki Extension in the Malviyanagar police station limits of South Delhi on Thursday night.

(Protest against racist attacks at Delhi’s Janpath.)

(Photographs Courtesy: Mukul Dube)

Though the Commission, which acted suo motu, based on the media reports, did not name anyone it was obviously referring to the incident involving Delhi Law Minister Somnath Bharti and his supporters who insisted on the local police to take action against some people of African descent alleging that they were indulging in drug trafficking and prostitution.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejirwal has already gone on record stating that his minister and supporters were not at fault and it was the police personnel who refused to take action and raid the premises of the African nationals despite that there were frequent complaints in this regard from the local residents.

The NHRC, in its statement said: “In the wake of media reports alleging attacks and the acts of discrimination against African nationals, the National Human Rights Commission has condemned any act of discrimination against any caste, colour, race, sex etc.”

The contents of the press reports, if true, raised a serious issue of violation of human rights. In one report it was stated that the people threw stones on the African nationals and hundreds of people of African descent were going through nightmarish experience daily in Khirki Extension in Delhi.

“In another report it is also alleged that some women were held captive in taxis for hours and then were forced to undergo medical examination at the hospital in the capital,” the statement of the human rights body said.

The Nigerian High Commissioner of India had demanded action against perpetrators of this act, the NHRC said.