African, Indian students allegedly face racial violence at Ukraine border, forced off buses

The quickly growing humanitarian crisis in Ukraine has taken a dark turn, after reports of racism by border authorities towards African and Indian students. With the war in Ukraine now escalating, millions have fled the nation, but it appears only a few are actually able to cross into neighboring nations like Poland, Hungary, and Slovakia. For many, it's still a long wait with little help, and in some cases, even being brutally beaten.

As we enter day seven of the conflict, many European nations have quickly amended their laws to grant refugees safe passage. On February 28, some nations like Romania and Poland also allowed people to bring their pets across, relaxing requirements. Viral footage also shows the efforts the nations have taken to welcome refugees, while others like the US have established diplomatic help centers for their citizens crossing the border.

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India is one of the many nations running an active program to bring back its citizens in Ukraine under 'Operation Ganga'. However, it appears that the citizens, mostly students, are facing massive issues in getting across the Ukrainian border, in part due to racist behavior by officials. 

African, Indian students allege racism

"More than 10 buses came and we were watching everyone leave. We thought after they took all the Ukrainians they would take us, but they told us we had to walk, that there were no more buses and told us to walk," said Rachel Onyegbule, a Nigerian student to CNN. Reportedly, Africans and Indians were ordered off public transit buses at a checkpoint between Ukraine and Poland and ordered to walk. "Ukrainians have been prioritized over Africans -- men and women -- at every point," Onyegbule added.

Saakshi Ijantkar, a medical student from India, echoed those complaints and said, "They were very racist to Indians and other nationalities." She also went on to allege violence against Indian students, "After the Indian girls got in, the boys were beaten up. There was no reason for them to beat us with this cruelty." Another Indian student told NDTV, "Indian students are being tortured... Even women students are being harassed." She added, "If someone tries to cross, they attack them with rods. They are punching them in the faces. Yesterday, they also opened fire."

Even if the foreign nationals do make it across, the racism doesn't appear to stop. Speaking to TIME, Grace Kass said that when she was finally allowed to board a train in Ukraine, officials "threw us the ends of stale bread," while Ukrainians got bread and sausages. The allegations indicate that Europe certainly appears to have a double standard when it comes to refugees. 

Videos of violence and racism have also since been circulating on social media. Indian politician Rahul Gandhi shared on such video and tweeted, "My heart goes out to the Indian students suffering such violence and their family watching these videos. No parent should go through this. GOI must urgently share the detailed evacuation plan with those stranded as well as their families. We can’t abandon our own people." 

Many Indians have uploaded similar videos, showing Indian students left stranded at the border in freezing temperatures. "This group has my friend's brother. They walked around 30+ hours to reach the Poland border after the Indian embassy. Only a few minutes back he had sent an audio saying Indian students are not being let in while students of other countries are being let in," one person tweeted. Another student alleged, "Ukraine army have been told not to let Indians cross the border until the Indian government helps Ukraine."