The big confusion

Of late there have been some serious allegations against Australia for being racist toward Indian students. It's all over the place - on TV, in newspapers, on internet blogs, everywhere. Is it true, is Australia racist?

Since the incidents, more than a few people asked me about my time in Aus and if I faced similar situations - well I'm still alive and scar free ain't I? Each time i get asked this question I'd like to say - I did see a difference toward my race, but I also made some great friends there, who are in fact Australian. This lead me to my initial view point which is that there must've been some provocation from the Indians, or the attack was random and not targetted at a particular race.

However, I did some reading and found some interesting figures - 90,000 Indian Students in Aus, 5 attacks in the last month, 70 in the last year, and according to police, 30% of Melbourne suburb residents are anti-Indian.

Then, I heard about the rally at good ol' Fed Square, which ended badly with police getting involved. Even though the OZ police says no excessive force was used, cops apparently beat up people, and videos were quickly being broadcast over national TV channels all over India.

So one of the confusion points becomes - is media doing a good thing or bad? On one hand it gives us a chance to support our own kin, on the other, it could be seen as creating panic.

Most of these beatings seem to be muggings where the victim isnt cooperative which leads to their unfortunate fate.

The govt in Oz is guaranteeing adequate laws will be put into place, lets hope they live up to that promise. I did see my share of being treated differently there, but not by all. There is a video in the links below which says the exact same thing - Just because a few are bad, doesnt mean all are.

So are the attacks rasict? I don't know, but I'd like to hope not...

Here is what people are saying, and the news reports I read:

http://blogs.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/ruebarbpie/entry/paradise-lost

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Attacks-on-Indians-Oz-plans-hate-laws/articleshow/4606876.cms

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Indian-students-relive-horror-stories-in-Australia/articleshow/4606234.cms

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Another-Indian-student-attacked-in-Australia/articleshow/4608367.cms

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Australian-cops-punch-stomp-on-peaceful-protesters/articleshow/4606057.cms

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Racial-element-in-Australia-attacks-India/videoshow/4593166.cms

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Attackers-will-be-met-with-force-Australian-PM/articleshow/4604422.cms