Two Telugu men were recently attacked in Ossett, UK. The attack came after they were leaving a Bathukamma celebration in the Ossett Town Hall.
West Yorkshire Police state the attack took place at around 10 PM. The attackers wore face masks and balaclavas, and police believe the assault to be racially aggravated.
The men were surrounded by 10 youths on e-bikes, verbally assaulted, and then hit on the head with bottles. Another man leaving the event was also attacked.
Victims told the BBC that the attackers were aggressive, asking who they were and what they were doing. The organisers of the celebration stated that a group of youths aged 16-20 had come to the venue earlier, asking about details.
This makes it likely the attack was coordinated and targeted. It aimed to attack Indians celebrating Bathukamma and Dusshera.
The police say they recognise the distress caused to the Hindu community due to the attacks. MP Jade Botterill has condemned the assault as well, stating that community members must be able to use the Ossett Town Hall without facing racist intimidation.
No arrests have been made so far, but the police are on the lookout for youths on e-bikes. They have also categorised the assault as racially aggravated, which carries a much larger sentence of 5-7 years.
