Key facts
- Indian mall worker stabbed 15 times in Utah, USA
- Attacker said 'I intend to kill Muslims' before the assault
- Attacker asked 'Are you Muslim?' before attacking
- Victim survived the attack
An Indian man working at a shopping mall in Utah was stabbed 15 times in what authorities are treating as a religiously motivated hate crime, after his attacker allegedly asked 'Are you Muslim?' before declaring 'I intend to kill Muslims' and launching the assault. The victim survived the brutal attack, which has sparked outrage in India and among Indian communities in the United States.
The incident unfolded at a US mall when the assailant, described as a Utah man, confronted the Indian worker with a direct religious challenge before carrying out the stabbing. The victim's survival after 15 stab wounds is being described as fortunate, and he is reported to be receiving medical treatment. Authorities have taken the suspect into custody.
The attack has prompted a sharp response in India, with the Times of India, NDTV and India Today all carrying prominent coverage of the incident. It raises uncomfortable questions about the safety of Indian workers and members of the Indian diaspora in the United States, particularly those who are Muslim or perceived to be Muslim in an environment of rising anti-Muslim sentiment in parts of the country.
The Indian government has not yet made a formal statement on the incident, but incidents of this nature typically draw consular attention and diplomatic representations. For the millions of Indians living and working in the United States, the attack is a sobering reminder of the vulnerabilities they can face, and will add to growing concerns about the safety environment for minority communities in America.