Attacks on Indian Students, Un-Australian!
Being in Melbourne this week, I was there first hand to witness the protest made outside Flinders Street Station in response to the rising incidents of attacks against Indian students. The events that transpired have added to my growing concern for broader situation at hand.
The contention here is that these attacks are racially motivated and given the regularity and the extent of violence involved it is hard to see this as anything else. However, there really seems to be reluctance from the powers that be to acknowledge this fact. The suggestion from one official that the attacks were more opportunistic than premeditated is something that beggar’s belief. The same official said on Sunrise, that there are a high percentage of Indians out late at night because they occupy jobs in convenience stores and service stations and are therefore more likely to be targets. This demonstrates the undertones that are at the root of the problem. Shouldn’t everyone have the right to feel safe, regardless of their employment or ethnicity?
The Australian Reported that effigies of Kevin Rudd were burnt outside the Australian High Commission in New Delhi on Monday, over the series of attacks on Indian students in Melbourne. The PR only got worse as the Victorian Police were accused of using excessive force in removing the protestors, which has done nothing for easing the anguish over the safety or racism concerns.
It would seem to me that action needs to be taken other than the usual rhetoric about “seeking out the perpetrators and prosecuting them to the full extent of the law”. Rather than being seen to be doing the right thing, I think we should be actually doing the right thing. Clearly more needs to be done to curb the violence.
From a purely economic perspective, Indian students represent the highest participants in the Australian international education market and this is largely due to Australia’s reputation as being a relatively safe and supportive environment to study. Indian Foreign Minister S M Krishna has said during the week that they “are worried about the safety of Indian citizens, particularly the students”. So already the cracks are appearing in this important trade area.
As the owner of an education institution, I encourage students who are considering a study pathway in Australia not to be disillusioned by the disgraceful actions of a minority. The vast majority of Australians are welcoming and will be supportive of your choice to study here. Our organisation MRWED has enjoyed a positive relationship with Indian students both domestically and within India itself and I look forward to continuing this relationship in the future. I strongly condemn the attacks and I hope that Indian students will not have their chance to undertake a world-class education in Australia thwarted by behaviour which is essentially “Un-Australian”!