We don't control Indian media, says FISA

FISA today expressed concerns at the manner in which the present crisis is being managed by Victorian State and Australian Federal Government. Mr Gautam Gupta, FISA Spokesman said, “It is high time that we bring to the fore all the statistics including breakup of the number of Indians and non-Indians, number of crimes done by and against Indians, the number of Indians in the Victoria Police and if the criminals have been caught and trialled in previous cases of assaults against Indians.” FISA believes that these statistics will help eliminate the confusion and make the issue clearer - Silence on the facts and figures are not going to help the situation.
 
Gautam also suggested that at this critical juncture, it is important to not forget the victim or crime and dwell unnecessary on side issues. He said, “It is too early to rule in or rule out any cause for the death of Mr Nitin Garg. We must make an environment that is conducive to let the Police do its job in the best way possible.”
 
On issue of media hype and response, Gautam said, “We do not condone or control any action of the media in India or Australia.” 
 
FISA believes that there is a lot of anger and emotion, and a rising level of cynicism amongst Indian diaspora and the Australian government’s response is seen as merely diplomatic and an exercise in public relations and image damage control. The community feels alienated from the police and the legal system, and crises like these don’t help at all.
 
Gautam further added, “that almost all the migrants I came across in the past decade, are proud to be Australians. They left their country of birth and chose Australia with a view to make Australia home. They have high hopes of the quality of life because of Australia’s image as a welcoming and multicultural society. The excellence that we, as Australians, have achieved in sports, research, education and tourism adds to an expectation of higher standards. I believe there is nothing wrong in expecting higher standards when one chooses to migrate to a place rated as the most liveable place to live in the world.”
 
On matters of safety concerns for Indians Gautam said, “If you need four-wheel drives and expensive homes to feel secure in Victoria, it doesn’t say much for the security situation here. Frankly, most newly-arrived migrants from South Asia to Australia today cannot afford security if this is the cost.”
 
He further added, “what will help is sending a clear message. Don’t tell migrants that they carry expensive items while telling them that they live in poor suburbs. That working at night is unsafe. If working at night is unsafe, it will be unsafe for all. Let us then close during the hours when we cannot provide safety. Let this ban remain till the time we can make it safe. Business is important but let us not replace it with humanity.”
 
On way forward Gautam said, “It is on us, the silent majority that is tolerant and inviting to not let a small minority of bigots and zealots to ruin it for the majority. It is high time that we come together and stand united behind every newly-arrived in Australia and say – yes to ‘fair go for all’.”
 
 
Contact:
Amit Menghani, President – president@fisa.org.au
Gautam Gupta, Spokesman – 0413211534; chair@fisa.org.au