Author: Ashok Kumar & Agencies
Publication: The Times of India
Date: June 7, 2009
Introduction: Community Divided On Anti-Racial
Stir
In what could become another flashpoint in
the racially charged environment in Australia, Indian students in Sydney plan
to hold a rally on Sunday to protest against continuing attacks on them. However,
this time, the protest faces resistance from within-some community leaders
and student activists have called for restraint, warning against provoking
a possible backlash.
In spite of efforts by various community organizations,
some students unions belonging to universities in Sydney, announced on Saturday
that they would go ahead with the rally in front of Sydney Town Hall. Stressing
that the proposed march might cause a law and order problem and may lead to
immigration issues, United Indian Associations president Aruna Chandrala said
on Saturday that the association has asked these students to inform the police
about their protest plan.
Several SMSes asking Indian students to attend
the rally have gone out in the past few days. "Nobody knows who the organisers
are, even the police don't know,'' said Yadu Singh, who is attached to the
Indian Consulate in Sydney and heads a committee concerned with the welfare
of Indian students in Australia. New South Wales premier Nathan Rees, while
listing out various steps to protect international students, said he was not
aware of any plan by Indian students to hold a protest march.
Calling the proposed rally as an "entirely
futile idea'', Singh said he feared it might cause inconvenience to people
and backfire on the Indian community.
Singh attended a meeting called by the NSW
premier on the safety of Indian students. "The security of the students
has been taken up at the highest level,'' Singh said. "We will work closely
with the premier and ministers as we all want to uphold the reputation and
lifestyle we enjoy here,'' Singh said.
Aus taking safety steps, says envoy:
Australian high commissioner to India John
McCarthy has said his government was taking concrete measures to improve safety
of Indian students in the backdrop of the attacks. He added that the Australian
police were pursuing those responsible for the attacks while charges have
also been laid.
Govt to soon formulate policy on racial discrimination
abroad: Kaur
The Centre would soon formulate a policy to
deal with racial discrimination against Indians abroad, minister of state
for external affairs Preneet Kaur said in Patiala on Saturday. Kaur expressed
concern at the plight of students from India who have been facing racial attacks
in Australia for about a month now. "We have taken up the matter at various
levels with the Australian government. Even Prime Minister Manmohan Singh
has spoken to his Australian counterpart. We want that the dignity of Indians
is maintained in other countries," she said.
