The underbelly of the local community

In the website of a prominent Sydney newspaper recently, three stories related to the underbelly of the local Indian community featured on the same day. Crime allegations of rape, murder and domestic violence were the themes of these articles, the accused all being of Indian background. After years of only reading the successful stories of Indians Down Under, it was a day when the seedy side of the community hit the headlines.

In one article, the NSW Police had arrested three persons in connection with the murder of 25-year-old Ranjodh Singh, whose burnt-out body was found in Griffith on December 29th Gurpreet Singh and his 20-year-old wife Harpreet Bhuller and another Indian have been charged with the murder. In a second article, an incident of domestic violence caused the NSW Police to charge Chamanjot Singh in connection with the murder of his wife by slitting her throat. The third headline was that of Paul Rajendran, an Indian national who was pronounced guilty of raping an aspiring lingerie model, by a jury of seven women and five men.

The comments column related to each article unleashed great hostility towards Indians in Australia, arguing about the hypocritical attitude of those living here when issues of racism were raised in India in the past five months.

Meanwhile, police have charged an Indian man in Melbourne, Jaspreet Singh

By PAWAN LUTHRA

for accidentally setting himself on fire in a failed bid for an insurance claim.

Surprisingly, the media in India has been silent about these issues. While the accused in Ranjodh Singh’s killings have had their alleged deeds reported, there is no space in print or on air, for reports of the other two. Selective reporting and Australiabashing seem to be the order of the day. The Indian media has not only been remiss in reporting these issues, they also have failed to report on other misdemeanours which have emerged from Down Under in the last few months – these being of an Indian student arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting a girl on an inner city train, or the Indian national who absconded to India while on bail, charged with killing a pedestrian while driving recklessly. Indeed, a shameful omission from the Indian media when Australia features so highly on their mainstream news these days. Like any other growing community, Indians in Australia have their set of problems, some inflicted upon us, some perpetrated by us.

As a community, we need to note that the dark underbelly will be exposed as our community grows. Certain stereotyped issues will also add stigma to being Indians down under. It is left up to us individually and collectively to allow a more balanced picture to emerge. As has often been pointed out, Indians in Australia on the whole make great citizens of their new country. They are well educated; have strong work ethics, and family values are well ingrained in them. These qualities often reflect in their respect for those around them. What is needed for the Indian community in Australia is to highlight the achievements of the successful Indians in Australia, not only to their mainstream friends in Australia, but to local newspapers in India. We have Indians who are successful professionals having made a mark for themselves in retail, electronics, IT, medicine, academics etc. These are the people whose achievements need to be lauded at various community gatherings and programs.

There are many success stories from those among us and these people need to step forward voluntarily and attend various Indian gatherings to further instil confidence in those living here.

While the meek shall inherit the earth, at other times, the high achievers’ public presence will instil more confidence in the local mindsets.