You can read Cr Chopra's opinions here - http://digitaledition.hornsbyadvocate.com.au/default.aspx?iid=34644&startpage=page0000018
Some of his opinions are:
- First Indian-born councillor in Australia
- The attacks on Indians were not racist
- Wealthy Indians are bringing it on themselves
- Getting a change using big value notes such as $100 for small items is enough to get Indians in trouble
- He, via UIA advises Indian students to 'lie low and be judicious in showing off'
- There are people who are Jealous of Indians and not lying low will espouse increased jealousy
- They (Indian students I assume) crowd rail carriages, are coarse and sing songs
- Is the opinion expressed that of his own?
- Of the council, and/or
- United India Associations (UIA)
- What influence will such opinions have on Local and State Government planning
- What message is being carried to the local electorate
Any opinion is welcome in a democracy and should be celebrated. But what about statements that literally sentence a whole community to ridicule? Cr Chopra has joined a list of Australian ruling elite that believes in blaming the victim – especially if they are coloured migrants.
Let me ask some questions directly to Mr Chopra
- Can you name and give details of just ten victims that were attacked who came to you?
- Can you name ten victims whom you have helped?
- Do you know any victim who went out singing in the train and got bashed because of that?
- How many times have you travelled by train in peak time? Do you know how crowded the trains are? So a couple of Indians travelling together is annoying you?
- Do you know any students who got bashed because they got the wrong change?
- BTW, is there a better store to get change than McDonald's? Maybe we didn't know that McDonald's has too many thugs as their patron ;)
- Can you define 'lie low'?
- Can you tell anything positive about being an Indian? Or the young Indians are just plain bad – either they are rich and show-off or they are poor and live in poor suburbs.
One can only be baffled by this attitude and contempt for battlers by such elite. Why will these people blame struggling Indian students? Or is it that these people are whetting their inspirations grabbing an award by bagging the migrant or their culture? Or is it just their attempt to assimilate with the society? Or maybe that India is a training ground for Slumdog Millionaire's and Australia is now a training-ground for Millionaire Slumdogs.
As part of a global marketing campaign, Tourism Australia is asking Australians to upload photos of their favourite holiday spot and explain in 25 words why ''there is nothing like Australia''. Based on Cr Chopra's opinion here are my 25 words:
Everyone's welcome - as long as they bring tons of cash yet look poor, don't look different and be gracious when they get bashed or cheated.
I think time is right for people to rise above shallow self-serving politics. It is not easy to maintain one's identity. I am sure Cr Chopra and their elite mate's will have their own pressures. But I believe if one stands for their beliefs and identity, eventually the success will be sweeter. It may take a couple more years to be elected for who you are but it is possible.
Sometimes I feel we need a good representative, a champion for our cause and that champion need not be an Indian. I rather be represented by likes of
- Prof Kevin Dunn or Prof Hurriyet Babacan who did an honest research on racism in employment;
- Ken Latta, CEO or Dalal Smiley, Diversity Manager of MFB who fought for diversity in MFB;
- Mick Gooda, Aboriginal Social Justice Commissioner;
- Cr Tim Laurence Singh, Former Mayor, City of Darebin – who has taken the lead on justice for all and has directly helped atleast 80 victims in the past year;
rather than someone who's mere presence makes it more difficult for the newly emerging community to get a fair representation.
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