Australia/India - interview with student leader

Rudd in denial over attacks, say Indians in Australia

Article published on the 2010-01-21 Latest update 2010-01-21 14:34 TU

A Sikh activist brandishes a sword and a photo of Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd on a demonstration in Delhi
(Photo: Reuters)

Australian Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, is urging India to keep calm after a string of attacks on Indians in Australia. Delhi has warned that the violence could damage relations between the two countries and Indian students say Rudd's government is in denial.

“It is very unfortunate that this should keep repeating,” Indian Foreign Minister SM Krishna said. “It does not augur well for our bilateral relations.”

The attacks have prompted protests and hostile press coverage in India, leading to tension between the two governments.

Rudd said they are regrettable but that India should keep them in perspective. They should be seen in the context of violence towards other students and of violence in general, he argued.

But Indians in Australia remain unconvinced.

“Thousands of Indians have been attacked,” says Gautam Gupta of the Federation of Indian Students in Australia. “I don’t know how we’re supposed to keep that in perspective. The Australian government is in denial. We can move to resolve the problems once the government starts acknowledging the existence of the problem.”

Police in the state of Victoria say nearly 1,500 Indians were attacked last year, but Gupta believes the number is four to five times higher.

“Every country has the right to demand protection for their citizens,” he said. “India is demanding that and Australia is not providing it. I would definitely recommend Indians to think five times before coming to Australia.”

There are 100,000 Indian students in Australia.