Australian Govt very concerned: Indian envoy

Under fire over the spate of racial attacks on Indian students,Australia on Saturday scrambled to salvage its image as a "safe"...

Under fire over the spate of racial attacks on Indian students,Australia on Saturday scrambled to salvage its image as a safe destination for education for foreigners as anger swept through the community which demanded swift action against the perpetrators.

Indian High Commissioner Sujata Singh said the Australian authorities are very concerned about the attacks and have assured to take necessary action. The Minister looking after education in Victoria,J Allen,told me that these students are our students and they are committed to ensure their safety and security, she said.

The Federation of Indian Students in Australia (FISA) has,meanwhile,called for a peace rally on Sunday in response to the growing anger in the community against increasing hate crimes. The purpose is to create awareness about an increasing number of hate crimes within the state (of Victoria) and to promote racial harmony and peace, FISA said in a statement. The rally will start from Royal Melbourne Hospital,where Kumar is lying in coma,and conclude at the Victorian Parliament House.

Yadu Singh,the head of a committee that has been formed to address concerns about the welfare of Indian students in Australia,claimed over 20 incidents of curry bashing have taken place in Sydney in the past 30 days. Most students are reluctant to lodge any complaint out of fear ,he said. Singh,a Sydney-based cardiologist,said: There is a term curry bashing for such incidents… and it is used as lets go curry bashing.