Kansas Governor Writes to PM Modi, Expresses His Grief Over Hate Crime Against Indians

Kansas Governor Sam Brownback has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressing his deep regret over last month's tragic murder of a 32-year-old engineer, Srinivas Kuchibhotla. Brownback's letter comes after the Kansas incident sent shock waves among Indians in the US and across the world.

Reuters

In the letter to PM Modi, dated March 3, he wrote: "Words cannot express the sorrow that we feel for Srinu's wife, Sunayana, and his family in Hyderabad."

He wrote about how Kansans were awed by Sunayana's grace and the courage with which she dealt with her husband's death.

In her address to the media, Sunayana said that she moved to Kansas without her family or close relatives. Noting this, Brownback assured that all of Kansas will nourish and love her in the difficult months ahead.

Reuters

Paying homage to Srinivas Kuchibhotla, the governor said that, "He brought with him his immense talents and education and passion. His story is similar to the thousands of Indian diaspora who have called Kansas home over generations."

"Our state has thrived because of their contributions," Brownback wrote and added that he would like to personally welcome Indians to his state.

"Acts of hate and intolerance have no place in Kansas. Since our founding, Kansas have fought against injustice and senseless hatred. We are recommitted daily to protecting our family, our neighbors, our guests. We find wisdom and peace in the Sanskrit mantra 'Satyameva Jayate'," Brownback said.

Reuters

Srinivas Kuchibhotla, 32, was killed and Alok Madani, another Indian of the same age, injured in a shooting by navy veteran Adam Purinton, who yelled ¡°terrorist¡± and ¡°get out of my country¡± before opening fire on them in Kansas last month.

Over the past few weeks, there has been a slew of race-related crimes in the US. Harnish Patel was killed outside his Lancaster house in South Carolina and Deep Rai shot at in Kent, Washington. The safety of Indians living the country has become a matter of serious concern.

In the wake of these incidents, Indian envoy reached out to the State Department to express his "deep concerns" over such tragic incidents. India's Ambassador to the US Navtej Sarna emphasised the need to stop such incidents and protect the Indian community.

Amb @NavtejSarna underlined need to prevent such incidents and protect Indian community 2/4 @MEAIndia @SushmaSwaraj

¡ª India in USA (@IndianEmbassyUS) 5 March 2017

with all agencies concerned to ensure speedy justice. 4/4 @NavtejSarna @MEAIndia @SushmaSwaraj

¡ª India in USA (@IndianEmbassyUS) 5 March 2017

With PTI inputs