Is Aus trying to bury racist attack? 27 May 2009, 1703 hrs IST A student from Andhra Pradesh who was among four students from India, assaulted by a group of teenagers this week, is battling for life in a hospital in Melbourne. Shravan Kumar, the 25-year old student is in a critical condition, said one of his close friends who also had a narrow escape during that attack. Another student, Kiran, is also from Andhra. The other two have been identified as Subhash and Sandeep.
"Doctors are still unsure if Kumar will survive and if he does, he will lose his vision or memory", Shravan’s friend, Sinivas Gandhi, said.
A group of teenagers attacked four Indian students while they were partying here over the weekend, leaving Kumar in a serious condition. Sinivas said the attackers abused them and said they should go back to India.
They were hit with a screwdriver by the attackers who apparently were in drunken state. While three were discharged after medical treatment, Kumar is still fighting for his life.
Shravan’s cousin told TIMES NOW that the Indian Consulate General met the victim and that they have been assured of every help that is required. Doctors have told Sharavan’s family to be ready for any eventuality.
After Indian Consul-General in Melbourne sent a report to Delhi about the racist attack on Indian students; Indian government has said that it would examine the case. India's High Commissioner to Australia would visit the racist attack victim.
Shravan Kumar, hailing from Andhra Pradesh, came to Australia two years ago and was a student of automotive engineering at Cambridge International College in Melbourne.
Sinivas said, the police had asked them to take care of their own security and even said that they "can't go on protecting each and everyone".
He said they were also asked to change their residence in a bid to protect them.
Past instances of racist attacks against Indians in Australia
Violent attacks on Indians have been growing over the last few years and have raised serious concern for aspiring students who wish to study in Australia.
The latest attack on Indian students is the second such incident in the span of a month.
On 21st May 2009, 21-year old Sourabh Sharma, was assaulted in a train by a group of thugs who asked the boy to give them a cigarette. Sharma was mercilessly kicked mercilessly by the thugs.
On 20th May, 2008, cabbie Balraj Singh was attacked by two men who had hired his cab.
In April last year, 23 year old Indian student Jalvinder Singh was stabbed four times in the chest. Jalvinder was working as a part time cabbie in Melbourne.
The incident has prompted TIMES NOW to ask:
Why is the Aus govt and media trying to bury the 'racist attack'?
Despite repeated attacks, what has the Australian Government done to ensure that foreign students are protected?