I pack my bags and decide to head home. The place which is my 'homeland'. As I treaded the dreaded path, I reached a clearing where two roads diverged. One which would lead me to my home and the other to my 'homeland'. But wait! Is it my homeland? For I would have to cross the seven seas to reach my destination. A place where I haven't been for so long that the smell of the air is alien to my nostrills, those faces that I should have been glad to see appear so unfamiliar and the land that I left isn't quite as welcoming as I thought it would be. I wonder if I should have stayed back. Maybe I'd find that comfort in the luxury of my home, does it matter if that home is not in my 'homeland'? But still they ask me to go back home. How should I explain that this is the place where I've spent my better days till my hair has turned grey. Still they insist. Now they are pushing the point. I take my seat in the plane but where am I headed to??
Now that I've been stirred back into reality after the stream of conciousness let me explain what this post is about. I am of Indian origin living in Australia and in lieu of the recent alleged 'racist' attacks on Indians I was motivated to pen down the 'Inside Story' from a person who is actually living the experience. So with great effort I pick up my pen (in this case my keyboard) and after my usual ranting which is actually what your Indo - Australian would be thinking at this moment, I get to the point.
Even as we speak, a protestant march is being organised in Harris Park in Sydney (which is where I live, in Sydney, so lets forget Melbourne for a moment). Let me tell you what they didn't tell you in the news. Yesterday, in a protesting rally in Harris Park the Indians got into an altercation with the Lebanese community and one Indian was taken by force in a car and then dropped off at another point later, all beaten up and bruised. Naturally, our community was pissed (somehow they just dont get the point, you just dont mess with us!). At this very point, while I am writing this post, a rally of about 450 confirmed Indians is being organised to 'settle disputes' with the Lebanese. Then again, you might be aware of all this (in case media is faster than I think it is). The issue is getting complicated (damn, it reached Sydney, which I thought was vaccinated against this disease which is spreading). Without wasting time, lets get into the heart of the matter.
The issue itself is very wryly worded: 'Racist' attacks on Indians in Australia. Already the Indo - Aus rivalry in cricket is reaching new heights and after the bhajji - Symmo incident (and other debacles) the moment anyone takes the name of Australia in front of an Indian, unintentionally you wind him up. On top of that, this word 'racist' is added. Lets consider after all what is racist?
Well yes, lets assume that the attacks were of a 'racist' nature. I'll tell you the usual 'diplomatic' statement that not everyone thinks like that and its the mentality of a select few. The whole politically correct stuff is fine. Its a double edged sword. Every year (well every week almost, but year makes India sound better so lets keep it that way) hundreds of foreigners visit India be it as tourists to see the monuments or experience the culture etc. How many times do we hear of mishaps? Be it someone charging extra money just because they are foreigners or incidents of theft, sexual assault etc? A lot, I can tell you. For charging extra you might turn around and say that they too have to earn their money and its just a couple of dollars for the foreigners. Agreed. What about the other crimes?
You'll say that oh, most people dont think like that and I personally have nothing against them. True. Then again, aren't those select few also citizens of the country? So the nation will have to take responsibility for their crimes whether or not it is your personal chain of thought. And once the nation takes responsibility it will be branded 'racist' and the funny thing is: You didn't even have anything to do with it! So, effectively I can turn around and say that India is 'racist' not only towards Aussies but all foreigners. What do you say to that? Its blasphemous, of course. But its not entirely false, is it?
The attacks began at Melbourne. The Indian student community in Melbourne is about 9000. One has to admit that the attacks were indeed of a racist nature. Also, these attacks are nothing new and Indians cannot be singled out as a targeted community. People of Korean and Chinese descent have often been called ‘Asians” (stemming from the oriental) and other specific terms which I wouldn’t mention (just let me know personally if you want to piss off one of these guys and I’ll disclose some phrases that will make them go nuts). So the attacks themselves are not a big thing or the first time.
