Students value security over education

New Delhi: Following the spate of violent attacks against Indians in Australia, not just victims, even other students are sounding word of caution against studying in Australia. Indian student in Australia Baljinder Singh, who was robbed and stabbed in Melbourne on May 25, said Indians are being specifically targeted.

"I feel really scared now, I don't want to stay here. I advise all students who want to come here that please don't come here," he said.

Having survived an alleged racist attack just days ago, Baljinder is aching to return home. And he wants aspiring students to see the spate of violence against Indians as a deterrent to studying in Australia.

25-year-old Sravan Kumar Theerthala became the victim of a racist attack, and has suffered extensive brain damage, after his assailants drove a screwdriver into his head. Indian students in Australia protested outside the hospital where Sravan is battling for his life, echoed Baljinder's concerns.

"Students planning to come to Australia must stay back because India is a better place and India is safe. Go to any other country but do not come to Australia," said a student.

"The mood in general is fear, anger, hopelessness and confusion. The biggest confusion is to stay back or go home, sit for exam or not, stay in the hospital or not, support their friend or not and weather to tell their families or not," explained another student.

The protestors also got the weight of Amitabh Bachchan's support as he turned down an offer for an honourary doctorate from an Australian university.

"I mean no disrespect to the Institution, but under the present circumstances, my conscience does not permit me to accept this decoration from a country that perpetrates such indignity to my fellow countrymen," Bachchan had written on his blog.

So have the occurrences of the past few days discouraged prospective students from applying to Australia?

"These are random incidents, they don't bother me. If the career options their are good, I'll still go there," said a student.

"I would not be able to concentrate on my studies and I'd keep thinking of my security so I'd choose another country or stay in India," was the reaction of another student.

Australian authorities assured India that measure like patrolling at railway stations and deploying plain clothes policemen on late night trains to ensure safety of Indian students.

More than 30,000 Indian students visit Australia every year for studies. Increasing cases of racism are sure to hit the the multi million dollar foreign education industry in Australia.

(For updates you can share with your friends, follow IBNLive on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and Pinterest)

#Racism #racist attacks on Indians #Australia racist attacks #Amitabh Bachchan