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Over two dozen cases of assault and theft against Indian students in Sydney and Adelaide were claimed by a Mumbai reporter in November 2006.<ref name= "bhand"/> At the same time, Adelaide police had advised Indian students "to walk in groups" after at least six had been bashed in the previous three months.<ref>Salter S ''[http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,20724915-5006301,00.html Police alert over brutal race attack]'' Adelaide Now, [[News Limited]], 9 November 2006</ref>
Over two dozen cases of assault and theft against Indian students in Sydney and Adelaide were claimed by a Mumbai reporter in November 2006.<ref name= "bhand"/> At the same time, Adelaide police had advised Indian students "to walk in groups" after at least six had been bashed in the previous three months.<ref>Salter S ''[http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,20724915-5006301,00.html Police alert over brutal race attack]'' Adelaide Now, [[News Limited]], 9 November 2006</ref>

In Victoria,during March 2008 a 26 year old Indian student Kana Kharbanda was left partially blinded after being bashed by 10 people in [[Sunshine]], 20 year old Kanwerdeep Singh was stabbed in the leg while people shouted in his ear "white is right".<ref>[http://www.fisa.org.au/?q=node/48 Indian student Kanan Kharbanda was bashed in Australia] FISA May 10, 2008</ref>


In April 2008 a protest took place in Melbourne over attacks on taxi drivers.<ref>''[http://www.thewest.com.au/aapstory.aspx?StoryName=478708 Melbourne Cabbies hold street sit-in]'' AAP/West Australian, 29 April 2008</ref>
In April 2008 a protest took place in Melbourne over attacks on taxi drivers.<ref>''[http://www.thewest.com.au/aapstory.aspx?StoryName=478708 Melbourne Cabbies hold street sit-in]'' AAP/West Australian, 29 April 2008</ref>

Revision as of 04:32, 14 June 2009

Indian students protesting on 31 May 2009, in Melbourne, blocking Swanston and Flinders Streets.

In May and June 2009, allegedly racially motivated attacks against Indian international students and a perceived poor response by the police sparked protests in Australia. Rallies were held in both Melbourne and Sydney. Impromptu street protests were held in Harris Park, a suburb of western Sydney with a large Indian population. The protests attracted attention from the international media, with coverage in India especially widespread and critical of Australia. Representatives of the Indian government met the Australian government to express concern and request that Indians be protected. The Prime Minister of Australia, Kevin Rudd, expressed regret and called for the attackers to be brought to justice.

Victoria's Premier John Brumby and Police Chief Commissioner Simon Overland said that some of the attacks were racially motivated, having previously denied a racist angle.[1] Sydney-based United India Association president Dr Prabhat Sinha said the attacks are not necessarily racially motivated.

Background

From 2004 to 2009 the number of Indians studying in Australia rose from 30,000 to 97,000 with 45,000 of these living in Melbourne.[2][3] A large proportion come from poorer, rural parts of India, with many seeking permanent residency.[2][4][unreliable source?][clarification needed] The cost of living in Australian cities has made it necessary for many of these students to live in outer suburbs, which have an increased risk of encountering violent crime.[2][5]

In 2007-2008, international education contributed A$13.7 billion to the Australian economy, measured through all categories of export earnings, including tuition fees, living expenses and tourism associated with visits from relatives.[6] Inder Panjwani, General Secretary of the Association of Australian Education Representatives in India (AAERI) stated there was a possibility that a few Indian students who had been admitted to Australian universities might cancel their admissions [because they feared attacks].[7]

Over two dozen cases of assault and theft against Indian students in Sydney and Adelaide were claimed by a Mumbai reporter in November 2006.[8] At the same time, Adelaide police had advised Indian students "to walk in groups" after at least six had been bashed in the previous three months.[9]

In Victoria,during March 2008 a 26 year old Indian student Kana Kharbanda was left partially blinded after being bashed by 10 people in Sunshine, 20 year old Kanwerdeep Singh was stabbed in the leg while people shouted in his ear "white is right".[10]

In April 2008 a protest took place in Melbourne over attacks on taxi drivers.[11]

In December 2008 Sukhraj Singh an Indian student who had just graduated from Brighton Institute of Technology was bashed into a coma by 5 people in the suburb of Sunshine, Melbourne. At the time, Victorian Police said that "Indians had long been over represented in robbery statistics."[12]

Attacks

On May 4, a 21 year old Indian sudent was bashed unconscious in the Melbourne suburb of Glenroy. Four men had surrounded him, the one from behind smashing a bottle over his head before continuing to punch and kick him.[13]

On May 11 2009, Sourabh Sharma, was bashed and robbed by a racist gang on a train Werribee in Melbourne's western suburbs. His attackers demanded to know "Why the f--- did you come here"[14]

On the weekend of 23 and 24 May, a group of four Indian students were attacked in Melbourne. 25-year-old Shravan Kumar was stabbed with a screwdriver.[15]

On 24 May a petrol bomb was thrown through the bedroom window of Rajesh Kumar, an Indian graduate living in the Sydney suburb of Harris Park. Kumar received burns to 30 percent of his body and the blaze was extinguished by his Indian housemates. One housemate, Arminder Singh, said that they had no enemies and he did not know the reason for the attack. Singh also said that the area was not safe, and that he knew neighbours who had been robbed.[16]

On 25 May a 25 year old Indian student Baljinder Singh was stabbed in the abdomen near Carnegie railway station in Melbourne. His attackers laughed as he begged for his life.[17]

On 30 May, an Indian student Ashish Sood was badly beaten by a group of 15 on Chappel Street in Melbourne.[18]

On 2 June a 21 year old Indian student was slashed across the chest with a box-cutter knife in Frankston. The incident occurred a day after a Sikh temple in Shepparton was vandalised.[19]

On 8 June Indians were attacked in Harris Park, allegedly by a group of Lebanese men, which sparked a street protest.[20] The local police superintendent said there was no suggestion that these incidents were racially motivated.[21] The NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research states there has been no recorded increase in assault crimes in Harris Park in the past two years. A member of the NSW upper house, Gordon Moyes, cited changing victim demographics for the suburb, "What has happened over the last few years is that a number of Indian students, attracted by fairly cheap accommodation, have come into the area, the target - always the soft targets - moved from elderly people walking on the street to Indian students with laptops."[22]

On 8 June 23 year old Kamal Jit was bashed unconscious while walking home from the St Albans train station. In the suburb of Springvale an Indian students cars was torched.[23]

On 9 June in the Melbourne suburb of St Albans, two Indians allegedly stabbed a man in the neck who they said had used racial slurs.[23]

On June 11, a 22 year old old Indian student was bashed in Rundle Mall in Adelaide. The fight began when the attacker struck his turban.[24]

Students using public transport late at night believed themselves to be at risk of assault and robbery on trains and at railway stations in Melbourne's western suburbs. Several assaults were carried out by gangs of youths, some armed with baseball bats and golf sticks, and using racial epithets.[25]

Sydney students interviewed by ABC's AM programme stated that their attackers were from a range of ethnic backgrounds, and while they said there was a "racial element" they also saw the attacks as opportunistic.[26] The attackers have been described as being white,[27] Asian,[27] Middle Eastern[27][28][29], Aboriginal,[27] and Pacific Islander.[27]

Simon Overland wrote that "Victoria Police has been concerned about the rise in assaults and robberies involving Indian students".[30]and said that "racism was clearly a factor in some of the attacks"[31] New South Wales Police said that Indians are not over represented in Australian crime statistics.[32] Sydney-based United India Association president Dr Prabhat Sinha takes the view that the attacks are not necessarily racially motivated. He said: "They become soft targets by groups of four to six drug users, for example, who just want cash."[8]

Indian students considered the response by the police and transit authorities to be inadequate, and had consequently organised themselves into their own protective groups to deter victimisation.[33]

Protests

Melbourne

On 31 May, Over 4000 Indian Students staged a protest opposite Federation Square in Melbourne, saying the attacks were motivated out of racism and were not being sufficiently addressed by the Australian Government.[34] There were allegations that police hit a protester's leg with a baton, and stomped on another student's chest, and that a police officer's hand was bitten.[35] The Victorian Police said their actions were justified saying several non-Indians had joined the protests and had hijacked the demonstration and used violence to pursue a separate agenda.[36] One report said "Along with more police protection, the students also want a multicultural police section, and on-site accommodation for Indian students at all universities and colleges".[37] 18 protesters were arrested.

Sydney

On 7 June, there was a rally in the Sydney CBD attended by hundreds of Indians and supporters. The rally started at Sydney Town Hall and marched to Hyde Park. Some attending the rally specifically mentioned Harris Park as an area of Sydney where Indians were frequently assaulted, and called on police to do more to make that suburb safe.[38]

On 8 June, 300 Indian students staged a protest in Harris Park late into the evening in response to an alleged assault, claiming they were considered "soft targets".[39] Some Indian protestors were reported to be carrying hockey sticks and baseball bats. According to police, the protest was sparked by an attack on Indians earlier in the evening allegedly by Lebanese men.[40] In retaliation the protesters attacked three uninvolved Lebanese men, who sustained minor injuries.[20] This was believed to be the first violent reaction by Indian students against attacks on them.[28] A police dog squad was called in to control the crowd.[20]

On 9 June, 70 men protested again in Harris Park, blocking a street and claiming that they have been victim of attacks by Lebanese youths. Two men were arrested. The group dispersed around midnight.[41]

On 10 June, 70 Indian students gathered again in Harris Park, saying they were being attacked by Lebanese youths and being ignored by the police.[42] Indian community leaders called for an end to the protests, with Dr Yadu Singh saying: "One thing is clear - the rallies have served their purpose and we don't want any more rallies in Harris Park, that is the community's view."[43]

Indian reaction

India's High Commissioner, Sujatha Singh, met with Victorian State Premier John Brumby to express her government's concerns over the violence.[44] On 9 June, Indian Prime Minister, addressing the Indian Parliament said that "he was 'appalled' by the senseless violence and crime, some of which are racist in nature,"[45] The issue has been raised in diplomatic talks between Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.[46] Domestically, the Indian government declared that it would formulate a policy to deal with racial discrimination against Indians abroad.[47] As part of the initiative to create an institutionalised mechanism to prevent racist attacks on Indians abroad, Vayalar Ravi, the head of the overseas Indian affairs ministry, has been tasked to protect the Indians in Australia. Ravi has called for a report on these incidents from the Indian High Commission in Australia.[48]

Members of the Indian far-right Shiv Sena and student protesters held a demonstration outside the Australian High Commission in New Delhi, where effigies of Kevin Rudd were burnt. Shiv Sena MP Manohar Joshi warned that Australians living or travelling in India could face revenge attacks if Indians living in Australia continued to be targeted in hate crimes. The Vishwa Hindu Parishad, said it would consider an Australian boycott over the bashings if authorities did not do more to protect Hindus in Australia.[49] Indian student organisations called on the Indian government to declare Australia an "unsafe destination for Indian students".[50]

Sitaram Yechury, a member of parliament representing the Communist Party of India (Marxist), wrote that both sides of the debate have points. Economic crises and downfalls often cause rising fascism and racism against minorities, such as the rise of Nazi Germany, the Great American Depression, as well as economic downturns in India itself resulting in racist-like violence between various ethnic groups and ultra-nationalist parties in the country. Yechury says that the racism directed against Indians in Australia can be explained in this broader context.[51] The left-wing All India Students Federation conducted a candle march at the India Gate, and demanded "stringent action against those behind the brutal attacks on the innocent students".[52].

The National Students Union of India (which is backed by the centrist Indian National Congress) met the Minister of State of External Affairs, Shashi Tharoor and demanded that the Centre should prevail upon the Australian government to ensure that such incidents do not occur again.[52]

Indian community leaders in Australia said Indian media has blown the issue out of proportion, and that their coverage could overcast the real issues faced by students.[53] Others have identified incidents of prejudice in Indian society and have thus questioned India's authority to condemn racism in other countries.[54]

Bollywood's largest labour union declared that its members would refuse to work in Australia until attacks on Indian students there are stopped.[55] Dinesh Chaturvedi, the general secretary of the Federation of Western India Cine Employees Association, has declared that their associates have been instructed not to shoot films in Australia as "the situation is not normal over there".[56]

In response to the issue, Bollywood star Amitabh Bachchan turned down an honorary doctorate from the Queensland University of Technology. Fellow Indian actor, Aamir Khan, has condemned the attacks, stating that, "Most disturbing to hear about racist attacks on Indians living in Australia. Quite a shame. While this doesn't mean that all Australians are racists, the frequency and seriousness of such attacks, I think, calls for an extra ordinary reaction from the Australian authorities, and while we want action to be taken by authorities in Australia, equally we should remember all the various crimes against foreigners who visit India."[57]

Australian reaction

Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has expressed regret for the attacks and declared that the perpetrators will be brought to justice.[58]

The former head of its elite Special Air Service (SAS) regiment and now National Security Adviser, Duncan Lewis, was charged with leading a taskforce to examine the attacks on Indian students. Lewis chaired the task force’s first meeting and would coordinate Australia’s response to the assaults. The Victorian government is also considering enacting hate crime legislation that would consider prejudicial motivation as a factor in sentencing.[59]

Reaction from the Australian population has been generally sympathetic to the plight of the students.[60] The Australian foreign editor Greg Sheridan criticised as "pathetic" the response from a Victorian government ignorant to the serious economic and human dimensions of the assaults.[61] An editorial in the Geelong Advertiser suggested that education institutions should take more consideration of safeguarding student safety, and other factors including inadequate policing numbers and liquor licensing should be addressed.[62] Herald Sun columnist Andrew Bolt criticised the automatic labelling of Australia as a racist country as unfair, noting comments from foreign victims of crime that their attackers were foreigners themselves.[63]

Yadu Singh, a cardiologist who heads the Indian Student Welfare Committee set up by the Indian Consulate in Sydney, said there had been at least 20 bashings of Indian students in Sydney in the past month, but most went unreported out of fear. He estimated over 100 attacks on Indian students in the last 12 months.[64] He labelled the Indian press' reporting of the incidents as "irresponsible". Dr Singh believed Australians were "outraged with the way Indian media" was smearing the country. He went on to say that other Indians he had spoken to said they are not suffering and that they are doing well in Australia. He also expressed fear that the Indian media reports might lead to backlash against other Indian Australians.[65] Chief executive of Primus, Ravi Bhatia, said the Australian government has shown "excellent sensitivity" towards the issue by announcing a slew of measures like Harmony march, reforms in the state sentencing law and setting up of Task Force to deal with attacks on Indian students.[66]

The Ministerial Council on Education, Employment, Training and Youth Affairs said it would conduct a national quality crackdown on education and training providers, in particular smaller education providers that have been the target of student complaints.[67]

Other

The People's Republic of China has also expressed concern over student safety in Australia.[68][69] According to official figures, more than 130,000 Chinese students are currently studying in Australia.

New Zealand has responded to these attacks and subsequent incidents. The education sector in New Zealand has moved to distance itself from attacks on Indian students, saying they were "totally different societies". The Chief Executive of the New Zealand Education Trust, Robert Stevens, has stressed to prospective students from India that New Zealand "is a different country from Australia - in the nicest possible way", and is striving to market New Zealand to Indians in this manner.[70][71] Education authorities in New Zealand are hoping recent attacks on Indian students in Australia will make New Zealand a more attractive option.[72]

See also

References

  1. ^ Better policing could quell racist attacks
  2. ^ a b c Verghese, Eapen (June11, 2009). "Are Melbourne attacks racist, or simply criminal?". Gulf News. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  3. ^ Hodge, A & Karvelas, P (2 June 2009). "Hindu extremists burn Rudd effigies". The Australian (PDA edition). Retrieved 11 June 2009. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  4. ^ Chauhan S India Protests: Attacks on Students Down Under themoderatevoice.com (political weblog) 30 May 2009
  5. ^ Johnston C City's new underclass forced to suffer in silence The Age, Melbourne, 19 May 2007
  6. ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics, cited at Education Export Statistics: The value of international education to Australia by IDP Education Pty Ltd
  7. ^ Dutta S Australia attacks may push education profit line Down Under Indian Express, 5 June 2009
  8. ^ a b Bhandari N Indian students in Australia attacked DNA, Mumbai, 10 November 2006
  9. ^ Salter S Police alert over brutal race attack Adelaide Now, News Limited, 9 November 2006
  10. ^ Indian student Kanan Kharbanda was bashed in Australia FISA May 10, 2008
  11. ^ Melbourne Cabbies hold street sit-in AAP/West Australian, 29 April 2008
  12. ^ Anger over bashing Herald Sun Dec 14, 2008
  13. ^ Hunt for robbery gang after student bashed The Age
  14. ^ Train gang bashes Indian student The Age, May 11, 2009
  15. ^ Edwards, Michael (27 May 2009). "Indian student battling for life after racial attack in Australia". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 12 June 2009. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  16. ^ Robinson, Georgina (25 May 2009). "Hero mate saves student from petrol bomb". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 12 June 2009. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  17. ^ Stab victim Baljinder Singh pleaded with attackers news.com.au May 28, 2009
  18. ^ Another Melb. Indian student beaten, badly hurt Southasiatimes Jun 01, 2009
  19. ^ New attack: Indian student slashed in Frankston SMH Jun 2, 2009
  20. ^ a b c "Indian students stage violent protest over attacks in Australia". Telegraph.
  21. ^ Police deny Indian attacks racist Australian Broadcasting Corporation, 9 June 2009
  22. ^ Harris Park violence 'going on for years' Sydney Morning Herald June 10, 2009
  23. ^ a b "Indians 'retaliate' after new attacks", Brisbane Times, 2009-06-09, retrieved 2009-06-10, ... A 20-year-old man was stabbed once in the neck and twice in the arm in St Albans early yesterday ... The victim allegedly said: "You are black. You don't belong here. Go away from our country" ...
  24. ^ Indian student bashed in Rundle Mall news.com.au June 12, 2009
  25. ^ Indian student assaulted for second time in Melbourne Indian Express Jun 08, 2009
  26. ^ Edwards, Michael (3 June 2009). "Indian students describe Sydney attacks". AM (ABC Radio). Retrieved 8 June 2009. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  27. ^ a b c d e "Brutal truth about attacks". The Sydney Morning Herald.
  28. ^ a b Indians protest in Sydney after new attack: police
  29. ^ Indian students rally over Sydney attack
  30. ^ We are fighting a rising tide of assaults on our streets
  31. ^ 'Tackle racism or attacks will go on': researcher The Australian June 11, 2009
  32. ^ "Student protests threaten Australian reputation". Lateline. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 12-06-2009. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help); ABC News, Australian Broadcasting Corporation, 8 June 2009
  33. ^ Despairing students find own protection, The Age
  34. ^ Thousands rally against racism in Melbourne – Times of India
  35. ^ Australian cops punch, stomp on peaceful protesters
  36. ^ Rennie R Overland defends use of force to move protesters Fairfax WA Today, 1 June 2009;
  37. ^ Brown, Rachel Indian students protest over race attacks ABC Radio The World Today" 1 June 2009
  38. ^ Morello, Vincent (7 June 2009). "Indian student rally calls for equality". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 11 June 2009. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  39. ^ Mark, David (9 June 2009). "Indian students to retaliate against assault". PM (ABC Radio). Retrieved 9 June 2009. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  40. ^ "Indians in Australia say Lebanese youths behind attacks". The Times of India. June 12, 2009. Retrieved 2009-06-12.
  41. ^ "2 arrested as Indian students protest". ABC Online. 10 June 2009. Retrieved 11 June 2009. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  42. ^ Bain, Di (11 June 2009). "Indians protest attacks for third night". ABC Online. Retrieved 11 June 2009. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  43. ^ Ramachandran, Arjun (11 June 2009). "Call to end protests as another charged". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 11 June 2009. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  44. ^ Australians protest over racial violence
  45. ^ PM 'appalled' at attacks on Indian students in Australia Hindustan Times, June 09, 2009.
  46. ^ Australia: Indian university students protest racist attacks
  47. ^ "Policy soon to deal with racial discrimination abroad: Preneet Kaur". Times of India. 6 June 2009. Retrieved 7 June 2009. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  48. ^ Vayalar Ravi takes charge of overseas Indian affairs ministry
  49. ^ Hodge, Amanda and Dodd, Mark (2009). "Consumer boycott threat over attacks on Indians". The Australian. Retrieved 2009. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  50. ^ Australians protest over racial violence
  51. ^ This way lies disaster
  52. ^ a b AISF takes out candle march to protest racial attacks in Oz, The Hindu
  53. ^ Indians in Oz blame media for blowing issue out of proportion
  54. ^ Don't tar all of Australia as racist, The Times of India
  55. ^ Bollywood union boycotts Australia over attacks
  56. ^ Bollywood says NO to Australia,Rediff.com
  57. ^ [1]
  58. ^ Rudd says Indian student attackers will be brought to justice
  59. ^ Ex-SAS head to lead response to Indian attacks
  60. ^ FISA website
  61. ^ Blind to Racism, The Australian
  62. ^ Indian attacks risking billions
  63. ^ [2]
  64. ^ Indian students targeted in bashings AOL May 29, 2009
  65. ^ Ramachandran Coverage of Indian student assaults 'irresponsible'Sydney Morning Herald 2 June 2009
  66. ^ India Times
  67. ^ "Crackdown on education providers in wake of student attacks". The Australian. 2009-06-12. Retrieved 2009-06-12.
  68. ^ Aid Sought for Students,
  69. ^ Crikey wrap: Indian press on Australia’s racism
  70. ^ We're different, New Zealand tells Indian students
  71. ^ Oz Racial Attacks:NZ tries to lure Indian students
  72. ^ Indian students 'safe in New Zealand', news.com.au
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