Click to play videoNew Delhi: Indian students in Australia had a respite on Wednesday with no cases of attacks reported. Australia's Deputy Prime Minister, Julia Gillard held out assurances when she met Indian student representatives and later, she indirectly acknowledged the truth in the allegations of racism behind the attacks .
"The Victorian government has no tolerance for any action of racial nature. The police have advised us that these are generalised problems," she stated.
The Australian Police records tell a disturbing story:
- A total of 1,083 cases of robbery and assault were reported against Indians in 2007-08
- That figure jumped to 1,447 this year
- The most serious cases were reported from the western suburb of Melbourne where police say Indians account for nearly 30 per cent of all robbery and assault victims
The Task Force set up by the Australian authorities is now co-ordinating with students in preventing further attacks.
Melbourne's Deakin University took the unusual step of roping in star cricketer Brett Lee, popular among Indians. Lee counselled them on the ways to tackle such assaults.
Back in Delhi, sources underscored the responsibility Australia bore to ensure the safety of Indian students and although there's no indication yet that Indian students are turning away from Australian universities, New Zealand is launching a major drive to advertise its universities with the catch line - New Zealand is a different country from Australia in the nicest possible way.
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