Multireligious discussion lauded New chapter of GOPIO launched

Aresolution was passed recently to launch a Global Organisation for People Of Indian Origin, Melbourne South East chapter. The first meeting was held on Sunday 29/11 at Tandoori Junction restaurant in Glen Waverley. The new chapter of GOPIO will be called GOPIO Melbourne South East. The following people were elected as office bearers on this momentous occasion.

President: Shabbir Wahid; Vice President: Aditi Sabnis; Treasurer: Ranjit Das; Secretary: Sudhir Chaurasia and Assistant Secretary: Sarma Ranganathan

The Constitution of the new GOPIO MSE chapter incorporates rules and guidelines from GOPIO International. GOPIO MSE will include people of Indian origin from South Melbourne from the cities of Monash, Knox and Greater Dandenong.

The Constitution considers that for the past several decades, people of Indian origin from various countries have migrated and settled in and around Melbourne. It notes that the link to Indian is being maintained in spite of living, and in some cases being born and bred in other countries. It recognizes the need to network all these PIOs for the betterment of the PIO community, while complementing other community associations.

Unsolicited assault provokes anger

A Sikh immigrant’s headwear (turban) was allegedly knocked off in an incident that took place in Blackburn station in Melbourne recently. Daljit Singh was changing from a bus to a train in Blackburn station when he was subjected to verbal and physical abuse by a young man of Caucasian appearance.

The incident took place in the tunnel that connects the two platforms on Blackburn station. A young man was seen with two girls, who were laughing and giggling when they saw Daljit. The girls then went ahead; however the boy allegedly hit Daljit hard and knocked his turban down. He then continued to verbally abuse Daljit and headed towards a bus that was waiting for passengers.

Daljit chased the boy and eventually caught him, and complained to the bus driver and Connex staff that were on duty. By this time a few passersby coming from the nearby Gurudwara (Sikh Temple) in Blackburn stopped to observe what was happening, and a crowd collected at the scene.

Connex staff said that they were concerned that the situation may turn nasty so they kept the young man under supervision till the police arrived.

Manpreet Singh who witnessed the whole incident said the police took more than 30 minutes to arrive from the Nunawading station. He claimed that the female police officer tried to threaten him with arrest, but apologized when she found out that he was a witness.

Daljit claims that the incident cannot be taken lightly, because this is the third time something like this has happened to him in a span of the two months that he has been in Australia. The other two incidents were of verbal abuse so he ignored them, however this physical assault should not go unchecked.

Daljit claims the young man who appeared to be 18-20 years old was definitely under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and his girlfriend also joined in to defend him when he was confronted by Daljit.

The perpetrator’s girlfriend kept insisting that it was an ‘accident’ rather than an offence. And it was just a matter of ‘putting his hat back on’; however Daljit says knocking off the turban is a deeply offensive act because of the religious importance of the hair and turban among Sikhs. He said that he was even more embarrassed that the incident took place in front of his wife and child.

Daljit who hails from a village near Chandigarh, says he does not feel safe in Australian public transport anymore because all these incidents took place in and around public transport. He said that at the first opportunity he will buy a vehicle so he can avoid the ‘unsafe’ environment.

Daljit did not sustain any injuries as a result of this incident other than a headache from being hit on the head with force. The victim Daljit Singh and his witness Manpreet Singh (they are not related and had never met before this incident) were asked to give a statement in Nunawading station on another date. The Nunawading Police informed Daljit last week that charges have been laid against the perpetrator.

The mild-mannered Daljit was in a state of shock when this reporter met him. He refused to be photographed for the newspaper.

Preeti Jabbal

As part of the lead up to the Parliament of the World’s Religions (3-9 Dec 2009), the Institute for Public History, Monash University sponsored a free public conversation, moderated by Penny Mulvey: Who am I in a Multireligious Society? Religion Across Generations was the topic discussed at Village Roadshow Theatrette, Swanston Street recently.

Three vibrant speakers from the Muslim, Sikh and Jewish communities reflected on religious identity across generations. The discussion began with Esma Yucel who teaches Religion and Values at Isik College’s Keysborough campus and guides students through interfaith programs with Catholic schools.

Manpreet Kaur Singh, a freelance journalist, presenter of the SBS Radio Punjabi program and a regular contributor to a Sikh website called ‘sikhchic’ was the next speaker.

The most senior speaker was Dr Paul Gardner, AM, who was born and educated in Melbourne, and spent his professional life as a science teacher and educational researcher. Active in the Jewish community, he is a founder member of the Blake St Hebrew Congregation, has served as chairman of the B’nai B’rith AntiDefamation Commission and is currently on the board of the Jewish Christian Muslim Association. He was appointed as a member volunteer work in promoting anti-racism and interfaith relations.

Professor Constant Mews Director, Centre for Studies in Religion and Theology Monash University said, “While the three speakers each came from a different generation and different religious tradition, it was fascinating to discover how many common elements there were in each person’s particular experience. Each speaker celebrated in a different way the remarkable opportunity provided by Australia to create a society in which different religious identities could be preserved, but not imposed by force. For each of the speakers, religious tradition – when properly and fully understood – offers an opportunity for profound growth in helping develop a sense of the goodness in people, in a society too often marked by ignorance and misunderstanding.”

Reflecting later on the conversation, Dr Paul Gardner commented, “I think an important theme of the conversation was that despite our very different religious and ethnic backgrounds, there was remarkable unanimity of views about what we share in common: a love of Australia, a desire to maintain and strengthen it as a nation where people of widely differing backgrounds can live together in mutual respect. At the same time, we should not oversimplify and say that we’re really all the same. There are differences, and we should understand and

What’s On

Parliament Of World Religions 09

3 December. The Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre will host the 2009 Parliament of the World’s Religions, a global event featuring more than 1000 speakers and performers from Australia and around the world. For further details and to register to attend the Parliament of the World’s Religions, call 1300 852 156 or visit www.parliamentofreligions.org

Sangeet Sandhya

5 December, 8-12pm at Brandon Park Primary School, Cootamundra Drive, Wheelers Hill, Vic (Melway: 71 E 11).

Melbourne’s renowned veen players the Iyer Brothers, Ramnathji and Gopiji will perform, with Sridharji on Mrudangam. Ample parking, car park entry from Ninevah Cr. Free event, coffee, snacks provided. For more details, visit www. sharda.org/Events.htm

Review of Bus Services

The Department of Transport has commenced a review of bus services in the cities of Melbourne, Port Phillip and Yarra. The review includes an extensive consultation process, and the review team is seeking input and feedback from local community members, local government and local transport operators. Please register your interest in the Bus Service Review with Raian Isaac on 9221 1952.