Dec 16, 2024, Australia: Recent months have seen an escalation in rhetoric and actions that create an atmosphere of mistrust, anxiety and divisiveness among our disparate faith and cultural groups within Indian communities. From heated name-calling and accusations on social media channels to misinformation and fake news, and an increasingly polarised worldview, we see an immediate threat to inter-community trust and understanding in Australia.
It is imperative that community representatives, members and leaders who do not adhere to any extreme ideology, while recognising the right to free speech within our cherished democracy, join forces, and reaffirm our bonds of friendship, respect and tolerance, even when we do not agree with each other. We believe that the majority of people within the Indian diaspora are reasonable, peaceful and not bigoted in their views.
Representing this majority, several faith and community organisations have come together to issue a joint statement which follows:
We, the undersigned, as a part of the Indian diaspora that includes Sikhs, Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Buddhists, Jains, Atheists, Agnostics, and many other religious, cultural and knowledge traditions, reaffirm our commitment to a multicultural Australia founded on the principles of respect, tolerance and inclusion.
We reject all rhetoric that seeks to create divisions based on faith, culture or heritage.
We stand steadfast and united against misinformation, fake news and WhatsApp propaganda and urge all members of the diaspora to be judicious in the sharing of incendiary and unverified content.
We affirm our friendship and respect for each other and draw on our cultural ties and bonds over millennia that testify to our strength in diversity.
SIGNATORIES
- GOPIO International
- Hindus for Human Rights, Australia (HfHR ANZ)
- National Sikh Council of Australia
- South Asian Humanists Association (SAHA)
- South Asia Times
- WAACI
- Radio Sanjhi Awaaz
- United Sikhs
- Indian Crescent Society of Australia
- Allies in Colour
- Australasian Muslim Times (AMUST)
- Seena Inc.
- Kehte Sunte Radiozine
- The Humanism Project
- Rev. Dr. Manas Ghosh
- South Asians for Inclusiveness (SAFI)
- NRI Affairs
Arjun Nidigallu, SAHA
‘Divisive political narratives, armed with polarising echo chambers are undermining harmony in the Indian diaspora all around the world. As a community, we need to engage in honest reflection, and responsibly foster our most defining values – truth, democracy, and pluralism. This means we must call out and combat misinformation, fascism, and bigotry in whichever forms they exist in our fraternity.
SAHA stands united with many other organisations in the diaspora in voicing these concerns and working together towards our common progress.’
Shanti Raman, Hindus for Human Rights, Australia
‘Extreme voices are often loud and widely platformed, however at Hindus for Human Rights, Australia we believe they are a minority, and do not speak for most of us; therefore, it is time for all our diasporic organisations in Australia to come together, stand united, and resist any attempts to create discord and divisions, especially by those who may claim to represent us, our communities, or our faiths.’
Zia Ahmed, AMUST
‘Australia, with a great track record as a highly successful multicultural society provides us the great freedom to practice our faith or no faith, share our cultural heritage and live peacefully with our neighbours. It also provides us with the freedom of thought, expression, and action, but this freedom must be exercised with responsibility and accountability so as not to defame others and cause hatred and disharmony between various sections of the community.’
Abbas Raza Alvi, ICSOA
The Indian Crescent Society of Australia (ICSOA) notes with concern the recent misrepresentation of the Indian diaspora in media reporting. Such portrayals risk undermining the significant contributions of the Indian community, a law-abiding, growth-oriented, and integral part of Australia’s multicultural success story.
Indians in India have long demonstrated to the world how multi-faith and multi-ethnic groups can thrive together, setting an example of unity in diversity. The Indian diaspora in Australia upholds these same values, contributing positively to the nation’s economy, society, and cultural fabric.
We urge the media and government to ensure that reporting is inclusive, fair, and reflective of Australia’s shared commitment to multicultural harmony and progress.
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MEDIA CONTACT:
Nandini Sen Mehra, NRI Affairs/HfHR – nandinimehra@gmail.com/+61499638388
