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File affidavit on attacks in Australia: Court

J. Venkatesan

“Put contents on High Commission office website”

Centre has made efforts to ensure that students are protected: Vahanvati
Not all attacks are racial, says student who completed studies in Australia

NEW DELHI: Expressing serious concern over the recent attacks on Indian students in Australia, the Supreme Court on Monday directed the Centre to file in two weeks a comprehensive affidavit on the steps taken to ensure their protection and safety.

Attorney-General G.E. Vahanvati told a vacation Bench that the Centre was extremely concerned about the welfare and safety of the students, and spared no effort at making sure they were properly protected.

Appreciating the efforts taken by the government, the Bench, consisting of Justices Dalveer Bhandari and A.K. Ganguly, said the contents of the affidavit and the guidelines should be placed on the websites of the Ministries of External Affairs and Overseas Indian Affairs, and the Indian High Commission office in Australia so that parents and relatives were aware of the situation prevailing there.

Safety paramount

Justice Bhandari told Mr. Vahanvati: “The safety and security of Indian students in Australia is paramount. We are sure that the government must be taking all steps, but our anxiety is that, despite the best of efforts on the part of the government, the incidents of attacks are going on.”

He said: “The parents and relatives of the Indian students should be made aware of the prevailing situation. We don’t have to make the parents panicky. They should not withdraw their children midway. The parents, relatives and friends of the Indian students are entitled to know the steps taken by the government for protection and safety of the students.”

Pradeep Ahalwat, who finished his studies in Australia, told the court that not all attacks were racial. He wanted the Indian government to go to the root of the problem, as the situation had been blown out of proportion. This might jeopardise bilateral relations and hamper job opportunities for Indians in Australia.

Mr. Vahanvati said that since the attacks started in May, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had held a conversation with his Australian counterpart on May 29. The External Affairs and Commerce and Industry Ministers had also spoken to their counterparts.

Australian steps

He said: “The Australian Deputy Prime Minister has announced some immediate measures taken by the Australian government. These include a task force constituted to coordinate the Australian government’s response, and collaboration with the States, as law and order is essentially a State subject in Australia. These measures include the setting up of a police community reference group and a dedicated hotline; the launch of a police operation to investigate the attacks on students; and constant monitoring of the well-being of Indian students, including those who have been hospitalised and looking after their treatment.

“The Government of India has done whatever is humanly possible to address the situation. The government is fully aware of the seriousness of the situation and is addressing it in earnest.”

‘Send team’

D.K. Garg, counsel for petitioner Ranveer Yadav, suggested that a team from India be sent to investigate the matter and report to the government.

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