Indian-Origin Man Stabbed Multiple Times in US After Being Asked About Religion
A 35-year-old Indian-origin man was stabbed at least 15 times in the US city of Dallas, Texas, on Tuesday after the assailant asked him about his religion, police said. The victim, identified as Rajesh Patel (name changed per standard journalistic practice pending family notification), is in critical condition but stable at a local hospital.
According to the Dallas Police Department, the attack occurred around 8 p.m. local time in the parking lot of a grocery store in the city's Oak Lawn neighbourhood. Witnesses reported hearing the suspect ask Patel, 'Are you Muslim?' before the stabbing. The suspect fled the scene and remains at large.
Police have not officially classified the incident as a hate crime, but the investigation is ongoing. 'We are looking into all possible motives, including bias,' said Officer Maria Gonzalez, a police spokesperson. 'No arrest has been made yet.'
Patel, a permanent resident of the US who moved from Gujarat nine years ago, works as a software engineer. His family in India has been informed and is in contact with Indian consular officials. The Indian Consulate in Houston has offered assistance and is monitoring the situation.
This attack comes amid a rise in hate crimes against minorities in the US. According to the FBI's 2022 Hate Crime Statistics, anti-Muslim incidents increased by 28% compared to the previous year. Advocacy groups have urged law enforcement to treat such attacks with urgency.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) issued a statement condemning the attack and calling for a thorough investigation. 'We stand with the victim and his family. This is a grim reminder of the hate that still exists in our society,' said CAIR spokesperson Sarah Ahmed.
Local community members have held a vigil outside the grocery store, calling for an end to religious-based violence. The Dallas chapter of the Indian American Community Association has set up a fundraiser for Patel's medical expenses.
As the investigation continues, police urge anyone with information to come forward. The incident has sparked concern among Indian diaspora communities across the US, who increasingly fear for their safety in a climate of rising hate crimes.
