India on Friday said it was closely monitoring the situation following anti-immigrant protests in several Australian cities and assured that the welfare of Indians abroad remains a priority.
“We are all aware that anti-immigrant protests happened in many cities across Australia on 31 August. Our High Commissions and Consulate Generals were in regular touch with the Australian government, as also with our community members in this regard,” MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said.
He said the Indian High Commission had conveyed the concerns of the diaspora before the protests took place, following which the Australian side acknowledged the issues and underlined that such demonstrations could cause unease among diverse communities.
“At the same time, you would have seen that senior leaders and politicians, both from the Australian government side and also from the opposition side, have issued statements supporting the multicultural identity of Australia. They have also recognised the role played by the Indian Australian community in the overall progress and development of Australia,” Jaiswal said.
Jaiswal also added, “On our side, we continue to firmly believe that diversity is strength. We value a comprehensive strategic partnership with Australia, of which our people-to-people ties are a very important element, and in fact, they bolster our strategic ties. The Government of India remains committed to securing the welfare and well-being of all Indians abroad.”
Earlier, the Australian government has disapproved of the campaigns taking place across various cities against increasing migration of Indians, saying this "brand of far-right activism grounded in racism and ethnocentrism" has no place in the country.
March for Australia rallies against immigration were held in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Canberra, Adelaide, Perth, Hobart, among others, according to the group’s website.
“All Australians, no matter their heritage, have the right to feel safe and welcome in our community,” the statement said. Tony Burke, Minister for Home Affairs, was quoted as saying, “There is no place in our country for people who seek to divide and undermine our social cohesion. Nothing could be less Australian.” Minister for Multicultural Affairs Anne Aly said, “Multiculturalism is an integral and valued part of our national identity.”
"We stand with all Australians, no matter where they were born, against those who seek to divide us and who seek to intimidate migrant communities. We will not be intimidated. This brand of far-right activism grounded in racism and ethnocentrism has no place in modern Australia," she added.
The March for Australia group's website says, “Our streets have seen growing displays of anti-Australian hatred, foreign conflicts, and disintegrating trust, whilst mass migration has torn at the bonds that held our communities together.” “This march is a stand for the people, culture, and nation that built Australia - and for our right to decide its future,” it added. The group in a social media post on Saturday said that the rallies aimed to do "what the mainstream politicians never have the courage to do: demand an end to mass immigration".
The group’s manifesto and flyers claimed “More Indians in 5 years, than Greeks and Italians in 100”, adding, “This isn’t a slight cultural change, it’s a replacement plain and simple.” Meanwhile, Murray Watt,Minister for Environment, told Sky News television on Sunday, “We absolutely condemn the March for Australia rally that's going on today. It is not about increasing social harmony." "We don't support rallies like this that are about spreading hate and that are about dividing our community," he said, adding that they were "organised and promoted" by neo-Nazi groups.
*With Agency Inputs
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