The issue of hate crime in the US is being discussed more openly now

The shooting of Srinivas Kuchibhotla, an Indian technology professional in Kansas has resulted in the issue of hate crime being discussed more openly now. It is now being debated whether the US remains a safe place for overseas students and professionals. Here is a brief on the views expressed by diverse students from India in the US regarding this issue, as quoted by the Hindu. Stony Brook University - Anusha Shankar According to Anusha, the incident of shooting is quite distressing irrespective of the destination. What is more disheartening is the prospect of it being motivated by racism. It appears that this could be the tragic fate of anyone and anywhere. It is now being felt that hatred is developing and it is devoid of any rational. Being a scientist the issue of greater concern to me was the negligence of the government on the environment. However, the recent developments such as the shooting and travel ban indicate that the concerns would be endless, said Anusha. Stony Brook University - Pratik Kumar Pratik said that the shooting incident is extremely regrettable but it does not imply that the US as a nation has become unsafe for Indians. The existing political scenario is definitely worrisome to diverse overseas students including India, though I have not felt the need to curtail my lifestyle or restrain my activities, added Pratik. Back in India, many foreigners have also confronted adversities and that does not definitely make India an unsafe nation either, explained Pratik. North Carolina State University - Aravind Ramachandran When an Indian is victimized due to a crime motivated by racism, it is really hurtful said Aravind. Let us hope that the current racially defined ambiance in the US that appears to go beyond hatred and intolerance is rooted out in the initial stage, added Aravind. As an individual, it does not feel to be unsafe and I am grateful for that, said Aravind. The University of California, Irvine - Khuê Bùi The recent news is sad, frightening and distressing said Khue. It is very unfortunate that as overseas immigrants from Asia we get usually typecast as rich and are often victimized by racist violence. This time it has been very fatal and it is a grave threat to everyone in the US, added Khuê Bùi. University of California, Irvine - Janani Venkateswaran Any overseas immigrant from Asia is considered as an ideal immigrant, thanks to the myth of model minority owing to their so called high intellectual caliber, said Janani. Nevertheless, racism is more visible in the US that was prevailing from earlier times, added the student of California University. Racism is a fact and has always been so. Even I have been singled out owing to my skin color and the only difference is that it is being expressed now more violently and openly, explained Janani.