Washington, DC (August 3, 2016) — Leaders of the Hindu American Foundation (HAF) condemned the hate crime attack on Suthahar Subburaj, age 30, a Hindu American chef at Kurry Xpress in Omaha, Nebraska.
The attack occurred on July 15, 2016 outside the restaurant where Subbaraj works. One man, wearing a black sweatshirt, repeatedly punched Subburaj in the face and kicked him in the leg, while telling him, “ISIS, get out of my country.” The man then fled on foot.“Mr. Subburaj is a victim of the growing xenophobia towards people across the country of South Asian and Middle Eastern descent, citizens and recent immigrants alike,” said Jay Kansara, HAF Director of Government Relations.
“Law enforcement and government authorities must work closely with local community members of all racial and religious backgrounds in order to effectively address these types of attacks on innocent people and confront the hate and ignorance that fuel them.”The attack is now more than two weeks old and details remain sketchy, though local police are investigating the incident as a hate crime based on religion.HAF will continue monitoring the case, and will assist law enforcement and the local community in any way possible.
