PHOTO: SAT

By our community reporter

Melbourne, Dec. 6: As hundreds of Little India traders and supporters demonstrated outside the Victorian Parliament, inside the Shadow Minister for Planning Bryan Tee, raised the Little India issue in the Council, which was followed by an agitated response from Matthew Guy, Planning Minister. In his reply, the Planning Minister blamed the previous government for the Little India mess and rejected Bryan Tee’s plea for “independent mediation to find common ground and can report publicly on options for a way forward in those areas where agreement cannot be reached”. He said the issue could not be solved overnight and was ready to talk to the traders. Bryan Tee said, “As the Little India was an icon in the present situation it could be lost forever.”
Hundreds of Little India traders and supporters attended the Council session when Bryan Tee raised the Little India issue. Talking to SAT, Kaushilya, spokesperson Little India traders said we had invited the Planning Minister and the Premier also to the rally, but they did not attend. Not once in the Council the Planning Minister made eye contact with the Little India traders as they sat in the public gallery.
Earlier, a big crowd of Little India traders and supporters were addressed on the steps of Victorian Parliament by the Shadow Planning Minister Bryan Tee. He assured the traders and the Indian community that the Australian Labor Party (ALP) will stand by the Little India traders. He was then handed a petition on the issue signed by about 800 people. Others who addressed the gathering were Kaushilya, spokesperson Little India traders, Jude Perera, MP, Manoj Kumar, ALP activist, Sayeed Md., Roshans Fashions.
The protest was colourful laced with a few Bollywood dances and Indian sweets. A large number of local and India media were present to cover the event. Meanwhile, photos of the event have been posted on the Save Little India Campaign Facebook page and it has been receiving a big response from the community.

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