31 May : Outraged over the spate of racial attacks in Australia, hundreds of Indian students on Sunday took out a massive rally at Melbourne demanding justice for the victims of recent assaults.The ‘peace rally’ organized by bodies like Federation of Indian Students in Australia (FISA) and National Union of Students kicked off from outside the Royal Melbourne Hospital, where Kumar is in a critical condition in the intensive care unit after being stabbed by a screwdriver by a group of teens on Sunday last.
From the hospital, the marchers proceeded to the Victorian Parliament in Spring Street, where they shouted slogans like ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’.
"We want justice for the victims of racist violence," demanded the students, who also displayed placards carrying messages like ‘Save our Students’ and ‘Stop Racist Violence’.
Police were present in strength to maintain law and order as the rally led to traffic diversion at the Spring Street, which was completely blocked by the demonstrators who hoped to meet the Victorian Parliamentarians to put forward their demands.
Reacting to the students’ rally, Indian Consul General in Melbourne, Anita Nayar, described it as freedom of expression.
rally at Melbourne demanding justice for the victims of recent assaults is a good step against the racist ppl … according to me australian govt. should take strict action against such ppl and convey a message of peace and brotherhood… i m more concerned abt this as i am in canada i would hate to read things like this happening around the world… even though i am born in canada… i still look asian and if racist attack cont. it will effect ppl all over the world.. and this might even come to canada…
as Sandeep Singh Canadian said : Australian authorities take some strict action against the native australians involved in the attack else face the consequences as australians should not forget that their economy is based on the education industry and major part of international students are asians.
if aussies want to ruin there eonomy then these racisism wont stop… but if they dont then the govt. will have to take some big steps to stop this…
god bless asians living in australia
i think sandeep singh is saying right..the asian youth in australia should unite against this racism..we are with them jai hind
i feel that wat mr. sandeep has said is very right. the indian students abroad should not fear and they should live with pride with out any fear.
We express our heartiest concern over the issue of attacks on Indian students in Australian Continent. The videos we are viewing show such a catastrophic behaviour of police towards indians. Its high time that the indian authorities take some measures to secure the indian students down under.
Most importantly we wish to buck up the Indian students to not come back , instead make a strong base in Australian continent by establishing themselves and creating their own secure niche. Indians specially punjabis have been a suffering lot in almost every major continent but have not faced such catastrophic situation especially in case of students.
We have full sympathy with the students affected by the attacks and wish to appeal the Australian Police to provide full protection to the largest Asian student community. Its high time that the Australian authorities take some strict action against the native australians involved in the attack else face the consequences as australians should not forget that their economy is based on the education industry and major part of international students are asians.
We wish and appeal to the Prime Minister of India to take necessary steps to ensure the safety of indians abroad and in particular , Australia, by means of Peace process, As far as possible.
Sandeep Singh Canadian
Gen. Secy.
Youth Shiromani Akali Dal( Panch Pardhani),