The local press has been full of “Are Australians racist?” op-eds over the past few weeks, as debate over the country’s treatment of Indian students and workers intensifies.
And the issue of “curry bashing” is just as popular amongst pundits in India. You probably read about the 10-page “Why do Aussies hate us?” feature in Outlook India, but here is what else the country’s commentators have been saying:
Ravi Bajpai, The Hindu Business Line: Calling a truce down under
The Indian wants respect for his/her nation’s new found economic growth and its ancient civilisation while the common Australian begrudges this economic growth of some Third World country and lampoons what is perceived as decayed cultural practices.
Dinesh Kumar, The Tribune, Terror down under
Neither is it uncommon for Indian students to smell, stare at people, to speak loudly, flash gadgets such as cell phones and embark or disembark from public transport with little consideration to their fellow passengers…
Ashutosh Misra, Indian Express: Pause for Oz
I cannot speak for all Indians in Australia, but personally, since I and my family migrated to Australia in 2007 I never faced racism.
Tarun Vijay, Times of India: Failed Gods
Indians are welcome as money providers to their educational industry but not as equally respected humans.
As an Australian with a long association with India I think the tragedy of the attacks on Indians in Melbourne has descended into name calling and denial.
The Victorian government needs to do more. Statistics are no good when you are assaulted or killed. What are needed are unqualified commitments to fix the problem followed by some exemplary action.
The Victorian and Australian governments also need to think again about the basis on which people are recruited to come here to attend courses of doubtful value.
In sum, stop the denial and the name calling will fade away. As the Indian success stories in Australia continue to multiply, as they do in India itself, we can then all focus on the great and welcome change that is the economic revival of India
One things for sure Indians can sook with the best of them.
Did 4 “Australians” attack Jaspreet Singh or did he stupidly try to commit insurance fraud by setting himself on fire…assisted by hs wife.
Were the “gang of Aussies” that sadly attacked two Indian students in Melbourne two weeks ago Caucasian or Asian?
“…Indians are welcome as money providers to their educational industry but not as equally respected humans…”
This is hilarious considering India perpetuates of one of the foulest and most degrading class/caste systems in the entire world.
Tissue?
I am an Australian of Indian heritage. This whole debate is outrageous.
Every time the Australian government tries to mend its turbulent relationship with India everyone in my family laughs: our leaders just don’t get it. Kevin Rudd and John Brumby’s controversial and unsuccessful visits to India mirrored the government’s approach towards the Indian student community in Australia : ridiculous.
State and federal governments need to consult the established Indian community for some solutions to the problem. There many people of Indian heritage who reside permanently in Australia. In my family, for example, there are now three generations of Indians who call Melbourne “home”. My family, like many migrants, initially faced many cultural and societal barriers upon their arrival in Australia. However, through a strong network of family support they were able to integrate successfully into Australian society. Today many of my family members are now active and well-respected members of their professions and of the community.
No body knows the complex Indian culture better then Indians. To start developing a response to this issue, the government needs to reach out to the Indians who permanently reside in Australia. These people know and have experienced Australian cultural and societal issues from an Indian perspective first hand. Many of these Indians have been able to adapt and integrate into the mainstream Australia successfully: without fearing their safety, racism and outright discrimination.
Lets begin the conversation.
@GAUTAM
OK
Can you explain why australian christian missionarys were murdered in India by burning in their car?
Was this racism ?
Is not the pot calling the kettle black ?
Gautam Raju
Unfortunately, this is criminal activity, and unfortunately all Australians are at risk, some of us
just whinge louder than others.