National NEWS
Make “Diplomatic Efforts” for Safety of Indian Students, Insists Advani
June 1, 2009 Visionmp.com news service
Senior BJP leader LK Advani, while condemning the recent racial attacks on Indian students in Australia, has demanded “effective steps” by Australian authorities and asked the central government to make all possible “diplomatic efforts” for security and well-being of Indian students there.
“I am appalled by, and strongly condemn, a series of racist attacks in recent weeks on Indian students studying in Australia,” Advani said in a press statement.
External Affairs Minister SM Krishna has said that India is in touch with Australia over protests by Indian students alleging racist attacks and expressed the hope that their problems will get "sorted out". "Our mission (in Australia) is in touch with the students from India and also the government of Australia. So I hope that things will be sorted out," Krishna said.
Advani said that the responsibility of ensuring safety of Indian students in Australia, about 95, 000 according to estimates, is directly on the Australian government.
“BJP demands effective steps by the authorities in Australia, including quick and deterrent action against those involved in the attacks, to instil a feeling of safety among the students and immigrant Indians in the country,” he said.
The senior BJP leader also insisted that the UPA government should make “sustained diplomatic efforts to ensure their safety, security and well-being”.
Terming racism as a “blot on humanity”, the BJP leader said, “It is unfortunate that this accursed relic of the past has been allowed to survive in Australia”.
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