Confronting violence
The recent media attention given to the racisit attacks against Indians in Melbourne have brought to the forefront what many people have known for years. Although most Australians and Indians get along very well there are some people who have turned their attention against Indians for no other reason than that they are different to other groups in Australian society.
Recently ininaussie attended a talk at a meeting of Solidarity at Melbourne’s Trades Hall by Indian business student Kanan Kharbanda who was attacked in 2008 by a group of people who appeared to victimise him for no other reason than that of his ethnicity.
Because ininaussie is produced by Indians and friends from other backgrounds living in Australia we believe it is necessary to confront this outrage and discuss possible solutions to it.
Business student Kanan Kharbanda and Solidarity activist Hamish McPherson discuss solutions to the racist attacks against Indians. Kanan was a victim of a bashing that damaged his right eye in 2008.
After Kanan’s talk we asked him some questions and we’d like to hear your opinions here on ininaussie.
Q: Why did you choose to come to Australia?
I did a MBA(Master of Business Administration) and after that I had two years of industry experience but thought that for career growth I needed to go for another degree. I decided then to go for an accounting degree and Australia has a good scope for accounting. So I inquired about all of the universities and finally decided to come over here.
Q: What were the circumstances leading up to your assault and when and where did it occur?
It happened on 6 March 2008 when my friend and I went to Sunshine Station to pick-up his wife as she was coming from work. Some hooligans approached me and asked for a dollar. I told them that I don’t have any money with me also I showed my pockets to them but they started beating me. My friend tried to help me but they also beat him, however he was lucky not to receive any serious injuries.
Q: What surprised you about the way you were treated by the police when they arrived on the scene?
When police arrived on the scene they behaved in a very unusual way. I very badly beaten and therefore was in no position to talk and even my friend was so puzzled and confused because they started asking multiple questions rather that helping us or calling for an ambulance. They kept on asking the same questions then my friend’s wife had some words with them. Only after she spoke to them did they stop asking questions and called an ambulance. During all this talk with the police they told us something along the lines of “you bloody overseas” which shocked us so much because it is completely unacceptable.
Q: What kind of injuries did you receive and what kind of treatment did you receive in Australia?
I got multiple injuries. My nostril bone and orbital bone were broken and I lost vision in my right eye.
Treatment in Australia was not so good. Firstly, when I was admitted to hospital the authorities told us they had no doctor available for six and half hours. They seemed to presume that my injuries were not very serious. After that, on next day, they asked me to leave and come back for a follow up. I requested to please see a doctor as I had lost my vision in my eye and that was very important for me. I also didn’t want to depend on the charity of my friends so I asked if they could please give me a room and an attendant but they said they can only provide me a room without an attendant and that would cost me. I told them to provide me both and not to worry about the cost but they would not agreed to it and finally I had to leave.
Q: Despite being treated so badly why did you decide to return to Australia?
I decided to come back because I have to complete my studies and moreover I think that life never stops and I shouldn’t give up. I need to keep moving forward.
Q: Do you have Australian friends and do you feel that most Australians are angry about these attacks?
Yes I do have Australian friends and I do feel that Australians are angry about these attacks. Not all Australians are bad and they also realise that because of the wrong acts of a handful of people all people are getting a bad name. Australians don’t accept it when people are beaten up for no reason. That is not humanitarian.
Q: Any other comments?
There is a need for a support system for the safety of people and in case a person becomes victim. It should be like a one stop shop where a person has access to all the information and can get all the help if in need.