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At the same time, they expressed their deep concern over the security issues of Indian students.
Insisting that Australia was not a ‘racist’ country and all attacks were not racist in nature, Sydney-based cardiologist Yadu Singh said "We believe that this is not the correct picture of the unfortunate events."
"Most of the attacks are what we call 'opportunistic attacks' and due to the impression by the criminal elements about our students being the easy target for various reasons," Singh said.
Indian-origin CEO of leading company Primus, Ravi Bhatia, who took part in a peace rally here, said "Australia is a very open and tolerant society. It is a fun-loving country.
"There are many examples of highly successful members in the Indian community. Just like any other society, there are small minority of miscreants and malcontents," he said.
"Voice of Indian students have been heard at the highest level of the country. I would request them to give Government time to address grievances," Bhatia said.
Indian students hold rally in Australia, protest attacks
Shaken by a wave of racial assaults, thousands of Indian students chanting 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai' on Sunday rallied here demanding justice for victims of recent attacks as Australia scrambled to contain the rising anger and frustration within the community.
The 'peace rally' organised by bodies like Federation of Indian Students in Australia (FISA) and National Union of Students kicked off from outside the Royal Melbourne Hospital, where 25-year-old Shravan Kumar is in a critical condition after being stabbed with a screwdriver by a group of teens on Sunday last.
Kumar, who had slipped into coma after being stabbed, was "out of danger", but still critical, said a leading community member who visited him at the hospital. "He (Kumar) has come out of coma and moved his hands," said T J Rao, also a former Consul General of India in Melbourne who too participated in the rally. "Kumar is out of life support, but doctors are still not very sure about his full recovery," he said.
The marchers numbering over 5,000 walked down to the Victorian Parliament House on Spring street, holding placards with slogans like 'We want Justice', 'We are the Economy Builders' and 'End Racist Attacks'. They also chanted 'Bharat
Mata Ki Jai'.
FISA founder Gautam Gupta, who led the rally, said "we believe in 'Gandhigiri'" and peaceful ways to present the demands of the student community. The students had hoped to hand over their demands' list to the lawmakers, but it could not be materialised. Their demands included a multicultural police force for Victoria, which houses 47,000 of the 95,000 Indian student community in Australia. They also demanded that crime statistics be made public and sought racial tolerance and awareness, and advertising campaign to welcome international students, highlighting their contribution to the Australian economy.
Facing flak over the spate of racial assaults, Australia government said it was doing everything it can to prevent further attacks on the community.
"We're doing everything that we can, both with the Indian community in Australia and India itself ... but also working very closely with the relevant state authorities," Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith was quoted as saying.
He assured the community that the Australian authorities are trying to bring the attackers to justice and ensure a safe environment for all international students. Apart from Shravan Kumar, the Indian students attacked recently included Baljinder Singh, who has been discharged from hospital after being stabbed by two attackers, and Rajesh Kumar, who suffered 30 per cent burns after a petrol bomb was hurled at him in his home in Sydney.
In a bid to assuage the feelings of the Indian community here, Australia's first Asia-born Cabinet minister said that racism in this country was confined to "a minority of people" with extreme views. "On the whole I think Australians are tolerant," Malaysia-born Penny Wong, Federal Climate Change Minister, was quoted as saying by AAP. "It is a minority of people in Australia who hold those sort of extreme and intolerant views."
FISA leader Gupta said the massive rally of the students proved that they were not "soft targets" and the situation may get out of hands if the community was attacked again. Gupta expressed confidence that the Australian government would take some action now and punish the perpetrators of the attacks.
Some leading community members, including Australian Telco company Iprimus CEO Ravi Bhatia, also participated in the rally, apart from the state opposition leader Ted Baillieu.
State police personnel in large number were deputed to maintain law and order during the event, which went off peacefully. Traffic was diverted from Spring street, which was blocked for vehicles, during the rally which ended with a candle light vigil.
According to the Australian Associated Press (AAP), there were three arrests during the event. However it did not elaborate. India's Consul General in Melbourne Anita Nayar said she had "no official confirmation" on the arrests. "There were apparently two rallies, one was a 'peace rally' that took off from Royal Melbourne Hospital to Parliament that was later dispersed and other was at Federation Square that remained there," she said. FISA yesterday said the peace rally was being organized in response to the growing anger in the Indian community against increasing hate crimes. "The purpose is to create awareness about an increasing number of hate crimes within the state (of Victoria) and to promote racial harmony and peace," FISA had said in a statement.
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Racism exists in every country, including India. Extremist political parties have threatened violence against Australian Cricketers, yet I see little or mention by Indians decrying this? India has the most Murders in the world yearly - last year nearly 40,000. Per capita it ranks 26 in murders - Australia 43rd. Last year over 3000 non-indians were murdered in India, In Australia 18 non-Australians were murdered. yes India is larger but on a per capita basis India has a much more serious crime against foreigners issue than most other countries. Violence and racism is a global issue, that should be dealt with. However it offends me when so many India point the finger of blame at foreign countries, when India itself is one of the worst offenders when it comes to violence against foreigners within it's own country.
it is my opinion that australias econmy is hardly effected by indian students. as a white australian, i would prefer that indian students did not come to australia, in fact, i would prefer no indian even visited here, i have a hard time respecting the indians who come here, especially as india has so much poverty, yet no-one is willing make their country better at home. Stay there, please. our cultures are so different, oh, and leave your cricket team there too.... seriously, as a country with over ten proffesional sports leagues, do u honestly believe any one would care, we didnt play sth africa for 20 yrs, who cares. I also believe most indians spek with emotion rther than their brains, in my experience.
I want to say if Australian gov, is not able to handle racial attacks on Indians. So why they are giving visa to Indian students. In India we can also target Australian people but we are not doing this because we are more civilize than Australian dogs.
Australia is not a racist country. Indians living here know it too. Australia is a great place to live. Nobody in Australia tolerates this type of violence, whether it be against a white Australian, an Indian or any other race. Murder is murder.
i can only comment on this topic that...this type of act should not tolerated more.. more we get develop,more we showing the undeveloped characteristics. govt of the both the country should take a serious action. so that no one career go to spoil. stop saying that give us time and we are doing something. just do it as soon possible. And i also want to say indian citizen who is going to another country make sure some security of urself, nobody going to help its upto u.
we should never go to the racism country anymore, save us from racism .
as a white international student in australia, I have seen amongst my non white classmates blatant racism. White australians (and americans, whites in general - tho not all) seem to think they are off more importance than other human beings. Good on indian students for standing up for themselves.One race - THE HUMAN RACE.
HiIt’s painful to listen about what’s going on in Australia. Different peoples are giving different opinion. Students from Indian origin are facing racism or else. The exact cause I don’t know ,who is the real culprit, may be locals pupils or some government policies or some foreign groups who don’t like India and Australia’s good understanding ,what ever it may be but one thing is clear its not healthy happenings and it must stop immediately. I am worried what had happen in recent past but more than that how it has been presented by media. Its not only affects the carrier of many students who has dream to become a part of this society and have a successful life. Among them some may be rich enough who can travel to another and better country, some may back to India without repent what had happened there but for some it may be difficult to manage this crisis. Economic policies and international relation may also affect. The international charm of Australia in educational point of view also gets affected. It’s not only the government who has to think, how to handle the situation and protect Indians? But all local Aussies must take part in showing their support for Indians, who has left everything and come to you for betterment
No one is there to listen you.situation is out of hand.lets pray to god
How odd that Australians have to defend ourselves against racism and outrageous demands by students who in reality are rarely studying and working with a student visa.What is the evidence of racism and where is the violence that warrants the pulverization of media with such angst against Australia - specifically white people?I have seen no evidence of racism.Most people complain about the current wave of Indian students, but that is because they don't try to fit in. They are very rude - in fact deliberately rude. Nobody else is anything like that, but the same people are making protests saying all Australians are racist and that they are in danger, when neither complaint is reasonable - or even believable!Well there is no way to win if you a typical easy going white person who has never harassed anyone because of what they look like, but who like most people don't appreciate rudeness.I'll just remember not to interact with Indians who show that they want no part of the place they are in.People have learned what Indians can be like when they regard their host country as something to use and abuse.
It people like you that are racist. You justify yourself by playing the blame game. You sir, are a racist.
I can clearly see what makes a terrorists group to emerge. The Indian and Australian government should act fast and ensure this is properly taken care off before a terrorist group or an outsider starts to aid the current activities in Australia. Australia is not the only country requiring International Students, we have a lot of advance nations and better educational options else were. I already see lot of parents discouraging their children even think about Australia. I am sure the Australian government don’t want to lose of big revenue generated from the Indian Students. I would urge Australian and Indian Government to take immediate measure to stop the attacks and there on make good arrangements to ensure this is addressed completely. Else the world should be ready for some serious terror activities starting in Australia. Which might proceed to other nations as well.
After all that happened to Indians still racism continues in Australia and the govt there is giving promises to India even then it does not controlled yet. what a irreresponsible govt it is!
Being a White myself, I am surprised at the ignorance of few whites. Unlike other countries, we don't have a population at an optimal size. But for immigration, the economy contracts. Let us admit our White policy can not be practiced any longer. Migrants from poor countries do not bring headaches but prosperity. To think that a hard working migrant from poor country has stolen a job opportunity from a white is downright silly. We need to be competitive and hardworking as the rest of the world. Why would anybody come to Australia if there is danger to their lives. This is sheer ignorance in today's globalization.
I got to admit Australiais not a racist country however, there is a definite amount of racism here. The Indians in Australia are not welcolmed here with open arms, there are racial tensions everywhere and most people I know would avoid being next to a first generation indian migrant. I got to admit the these racial attacks would have been dealt differently if it was somewhere else, worse in other words. But we have to admit with this situation this could have been an act not of racism and the could have been many circumstances that could have ignited the situation. Just because they're indian we have come to the conclusion that it is a racist attack. Read the facts know the situation before jumping to conclusions.
Being an white, I must be honest. Our country with its official white policy is the culprit in creating this mindset with common white Aussies. We can not deny the contribution made by immigrants to this country in all walks of life. But for them our country would not have been so wealthy. Unfortunately there are few still subscribing to while policy, although the Government has dismantled it. Hopefully they quickly educate themselves to chase away this ill-conceived theories on any non-white communities.
Most of the students come to Australia to study and finally settle in OZ,by obtaining PR.Now what has happened to some of the indians is unfortunate and sad.If these students do not wish to continue I am sure their parents would welcome them back to India .But how many of them would want to go back home.There are heaps of Indian students to thrive to get a PR status.Why even bother to get one, when you see Australia as a racist country.There are many occasions when some Australians are themselves bashed for money,due to some bad elements in the society and the government here has laws to tackle them.It would be good if India stops magnifying the issue and creating fear among those who want to pursue their study in OZ
Ask an ABO(Aborigine) about the so called "AUSSIE" hehehehe ---Old Boy,UOW
There were more dowry murders in India last year than total murders in Austalia. perhaps we should begin a discussion on the caste system and then see who is rascist?
I must say that you have a pretty good sense of humour because you read simple facts as jokes. Regarding your comment about the torch of civilization only burning in India indeed gives a strong impression that you are pretty grown up, mature, sophisticated person blessed with a very open
Indian students started to migrate to OZ land only after OZZY govt. commodify education to a great extent. Students should realize that OZ univs are at satisfactory level. OZZY folks will always be racist and intensity of these racist attacks will be seen more during economic downturn. AND FOREIGNERS WILL BE THE FIRST ONES TO BE AFFECTED IN BAD TIMES.
160 million Dalit or "untouchables" live in India.I wonder what they think of the overreaction of the WEALTHY Indian Students in Melbourne...probably not much. I studied with many Indian Students in Melbourne and they were a reclusive lot. Sri Lankans were much friendlier and did not have a mobile phone stuck to their ear 24 hours a day.India needs to get its own affairs in order before accusing Australians of racism. Calling Australians "racist" is a bit rich when 8 x the entire Australian population are Dalit and live in India, and are treated like complete scum.If Indian Students still feel bad about it then don't come to Australia. There are plenty of other fish in the seas to fill your positions at our universities...and perhaps those fish will not be desperate to work illegally here and try to get Permanent Residency the second they enter they country.We don't have a class system in Australia. India can keep their class system and stay away from our shores.
i have proud on amitji.but also suprised with shortthinking of australian.i want to ask them that Do they know wht happen when 90000 or 40-45 thousand student(in future) withdraw their rights of education then what happen with them in such weakeconomic condition. Do they know wht losses accures them due to such attcks on name of racialism? i think that they should now think about this seriously.If they wnt to survive their education industry.
actually I don't think it'd change much in Australia. other business opportunities would be found as they have been in the past
Hats off to Mr. Amitab. We stand united if our sons are attacked. Unfortunate our foreign ministry is quiet and not condemining such acts publicly - all officials in foreign ministry are pussys.Indians should boycott Australians and keep them out of the country.Autralia is still a British colony is all manners and I am not surprised at racism practices there.
The early human beings understand that the ugly side of humanity is part of humanity itself rather than nationalities, religion or race the better. It's naive to think that only a particular segment of the population of this beautiful planet is capable of doing horrible things to fellow humans.I'm a migrant who lives in Autralia for the last 24 years and I reject this call of Australians being racist. There are bad and good people everywhere... we have racists here, it's true, but it's a minority. We also have murderers, rapists, etc..etc.. but that doesn't make us all murderers or rapists... the same occurs in India and in all the other countries..I've returned to Melbourne from a trip overseas when the demonstration in Melbourne took place and I got myself in a very awkward situation as I was unaware of the horrendous crime committed against the Indian students and I copped a lot of abuse from some of the demonstrators. There were some violent people amongst..(TBC)
It will be unfortunate to brand the whole country as racist.Indian students and the Government of India have made a point and that has been heard by Australia. Now Aussie Government deserves some time to plan its strategy to contain attacks on the students.This overreaction by India and its media is not going to help the situation. Australia is an independent democratic country and India can not push it beyond a certain limit.At the same time there is no doubt that certain elements in Australian police are racist and corrupt. But so are certain elements in Indian police and society. Indian media should relax a little now. Too much of hue and cry can cause a little isolation for indian community in Australia.Australian PM needs to be praised by indian media for taking a stand against these attacks.
being a part of the minority has its own drawback. u may live in the world's most tolerant and open society, but no society is free from anti-social elements or rogues. you cannot label a country based on these isolated incidents. these happen in every streets of delhi or anywhere else in india, but no voices are raised against it.
hi guys,compared to us,uk,can,eu..aus hs got bit racism probs,yet bcoz of few not whole country is racist.we in ind hv rajthackray,guj riots,sikh genocide,casteism..so plz calm down,thing will b fine.the main reason y ind govt is taking tough stance agnst aus is coz of kevin rudds decision not to sell uranium to ind.us,france,russia hv signd nuke deal wid ind,but mr.rudd doesnt wan2sell uranium 2 ind,but sell uranium to comunistchina.the other reason is former pm jonhoward proposed a quadrilateral defense strategy wid ind,us,japan,aus to counter ny aggression by china.something like NATO of asia.once kevinrudd bcam PM,he screwed the idea nd threw it in dust bin,now he is bootlicking china thnking dragon will hug aus.50yrs frm nw china wud b an aggressive superpower,us,eu may b down economically..u nevr kno..but quadrilateral strategy was masterpiece,ny way nw indonesia will replace aus.aus doesnt hv a deternt army,fit for nothin.but aus will pay fr kevins foreign policy blunder.