Sydney city council has clarified that it is lighting Town Hall in support of all Indians and the event is not connected to any religious groups.
The Sydney Town Hall is being lit up to express solidarity with India in its battle against the deadly COVID-19 second wave. However, the event has become the centre of a controversy after some twitter users objected to the Hindu Council of Australia using its logo on the event poster.
A poster carrying a logo of the Hindu Councils of Australia with the text “Thank you very much the lord Mayor and all the Councillors for your support” is doing the rounds on social media. The controversy started when a twitter user who calls himself IndianAussie, tweeted the poster questioning the use of the HCA logo.
“It’s better 4 @cityofsydney & @CloverMoore 2 use India’s flag 4 solidarity with India instead of a religious organization. Not all Indian Aussies identify with this organization. It’s a bad look (sic),” the tweet by IndianAussie read.
“Mayor Clover Moore, please note that Hindu Council is only about some Hindus, not all Hindus. They definitely do not represent Sikhs, Muslims & Christians segments of Indian Australian community. Please review this matter,” the Twitter user said in another tweet.
HCA responded to these tweets saying, “Hindus believe in Vasudhaiva Kutumbhakam i.e. World is one family. This is open for all Australians, Indians & entire multicultural Australia to stand in solidarity to support India & pray for a speedy recovery. Look forward to seeing you all at the event.”
“A motion was passed by @cityofsydney. on 17th May, attended by HCA & CGI where CoS has announced that they will light Town Hall in solidarity to India with Indian flag colours. Following that HCA liaised with CoS on the date and facilitating the event with necessary permissions etc (sic) ,” HCA said in another tweet.
Another twitter user NParavastu, who claims to be present while the motion was passed said, “This event is organised by @HinduCouncilAu along with
@cityofsydney. HCA liaised with councillors & the multicultural coordinator, fixed a date. HCA has advertised this after taking CoS permission. CoS is lighting the Town Hall with Indian flag colours not HCA or Hindu. (sic)”
However, the Deputy Lord Mayor of Sydney Jess Scully responded by saying that the material (poster) was not created by the City of Sydney.
“Hello, thanks for raising this. Town Hall will be lit up in the colours of the Indian flag in support of all Indians during this heartbreaking time. It is not aligned with any one organisation or group, and the material you’ve posted is not created by the City of Sydney,” Jess Scully tweeted.
Sydney City Council also tweeted it is “not connected with any religious groups.”
“We are lighting Town Hall in support of all Indians. We are not connected with any religious group,” said the council.
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