By IANS,
New Delhi : Dozens of people Monday protested outside the Australian High Commission here against the recent alleged racist attacks on Indian students studying in Australia.
“We have all come here in support of our children. The Indian government is sleeping and that is why we are here. We just want the security beefed up. My son has faced no such threat but the fear has settled in,” Ramesh Kalra, one of the protestors, told IANS.
The protest was led by the youth wing of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) – Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM).
Four Indian students have been injured in violent attacks in the last three weeks in Australia.
The protestors raised slogans and demanded strong action from the Australian authorities.
Later a six-member delegation, comprising parents of students studying in Australia and BJYM members, met the High Commissioner John McCarthy on the issue and demanded quick relief measures.
After meeting McCarthy, BJYM president Amit Thakkar said: “He condemned the attacks on the Indian students. He is aware of the cordial relations between the two countries and would like to maintain them. He offered to forward his recommendations and the BJYM memorandum to the Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd.”
Thakkar said they had suggested that a press conference be held to inform people of what the two governments are doing on the issue. He said they had also demanded more policing in the areas where the Indian community lives in Australia.
Delhi BJP leader Vijay Jolly, whose son is also studying in Australia, took part in the protest and said he was extremely worried.
“My son is also studying in Australia and as a parent, I am extremely worried. The students are afraid to step out at night. We parents are spending harrowing nights,” Jolly said.