By our reporter

Melbourne: The Federation of Indian Associations of Victoria (FIAV) has said that the recent attacks of Indian students here were not racist. While condemning the attacks and calling them entirely unjustified with the perpetrators deliberately targeting young, defenceless men in the middle of the night, the FIAV President Mr. Vasan Srinivasan, said it has been deliberately resistant labelling the attacks as ‘racist’. Mr. Vasan was addressing a media conference in the city.
Meanwhile, the statement of the Indian Consulate in Melbourne, read by Mr. Anil Gupta at the media conference, while appreciating the Victorian authorities for new security steps said, “the security and safety of Indian students is seriously under threat.”
“It is our considered opinion that there is a racist element” and “…we do not however believe all these attacks are purely racist in nature”, the statement said.
Despite being present at the FIAV media conference, the Consulate statement made it clear that it “… does not in any way imply or constitute a blanket endorsement by the Consulate of all the statements or actions of any other individual or organisation with regard to this or any other issue.”
It further said: “We like to request all concerned not to assume that the Consulate General of India eddorses any person, association, organisation, action or any element/factor concerned with this issue unless such endorsement is specifically announced by the Consulate.” (SEE FULL STATEMENT IN BOX)
When South Asia Times asked Mr. Vasan whether the FIAV was also not part of the Indian Consulate’s view that it did not endorse any person, association or organisation on the current issues, Mr. Vasan said: “No comments”.
Mr Vasan also released an eight point FIAV plan to deal with the student issues:
1. Immediately ensure the presence of Police or other Public transport officials at all railway stations from 9pm until the last train.
2. Ensure the area immediately surrounding train stations is well lit.
3. Ensure the registration of all education agents who recruit international students to facilitate a higher level of information, accountability, accuracy and professionalism similar to recent initiatives within the migration industry.
4. Upon registration of a prospective student’s visa, registered education agents must provide a handbook mandated by the Department of Education that carefully and accurately details issues concerning a student’s welfare in Australia including living expenses, maps, public transport information, housing opportunities and emergency telephone numbers. Such information will allow prospective students to make a realistic assessment about their financial requirements in Australia and what work and housing opportunities are available.
5. The Federal and Victorian government must demand of private colleges accurate and comprehensive information is provided to prospective students and dedicate more funds to ensure the auditing of private colleges to eliminate rogue operators who fail to provide world class standards and charge those who have conducted in misleading or deceptive behaviour.
6. Education providers must provide initial accommodation, airport pickups and full day orientation seminars to all new students based on information mandated by the Department of Education.
7. The Department of Planning in conjunction with Local government review its planning guidelines to incorporate new residential developments accessible by public transport that provide low-cost housing options to international students and fast track any existing planned developments to avoid overcrowding in outer suburban houses and;

8. Recommend that the Victorian government examine the feasibility of international students’ right to access the Victims of Crime Assistance Tribunal and further recommend that Victims of crime (overseas students) who fall on hardship will be assisted by State run welfare agencies with minimal delays.
On the question whether the FIAV would work with the Federation of Indian Students of Australia (FISA), the main body of thousands of overseas students in Australia, Mr. Vasan said his organisation was ready to work with anyone on the issue.

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