My letter to Indian Consulate in Melbourne written on 12 April 2010

Dear Ms Nayar,

I write to you as an Australian of Indian descent, who maintains strong affection to both the countries and cultures.

Firstly, I would like to thank you for the hard work you have been doing to keep the Indian community united. You have gone out of your way in resolving many community issues including student issues, diplomatic issues and various other issues that has arisen in the past couple of years.
Many people have misunderstandings about the role the Consulate have played and without full knowledge my effort alone is not enough in advocating for the good job that Indian Consulate of Melbourne is doing. I have been asked by some Indian media to visit India to attend a special program that will explore many areas of life and functioning of various systems in Victoria. They would obviously want to know my opinion and the opinion that of the organisation and indeed many Indians whose interest I represent.

I will also be meeting a number of Central cabinet ministers from various parties to discuss the issues. I would hope to raise appropriate matters and to defend my reputation which it seems have been under scrutiny due to false information being fed by some people from here. I will attempt my best to set the record straight and expose the sloth and the corrupt in order to protect my reputation and I do hope you will help me in doing so.
I now write a list of questions that people have asked and I am sure Indians will be interested in knowing.
Specific questions:

1.      Has any charges been laid in the cases of:

1.      Legend Bar, Epping case

2.      The Carrum family break-in case

3.      Nitin Garg murder case

2.      What percentage of crimes against Indians would you classify as racist and/or opportunist?

3.      Why do you think thousands of Indians participated in the march to Parliament last year? Does the Consulate think the rally was politically motivated?

4.      The Consulate have suggested to some reporters and Indian parliamentarians that 'FISA is not representative of all students' and to take 'Gautam's words with a pinch of salt'.

1.      Can the Consulate please specify if the Consulate knew of any organisation in a democracy that represents everyone?

2.      Could you please explain if the Consulate think there is any organisation in Victoria that represents the interests of Indians and Indians students and how many people do they represent?

3.      Have you mentioned to them only about Gautam or have the Consulate given them a list of people whom they can't trust?

5.      The city of Darebin (the first Victorian city to ever elect an Indian origin Mayor) has recognized FISA with a MOU - what have the Consulate done to work with Darebin or encourage other cities to engage with FISA?

6.      Can the Consulate assure that the Consulate is not relying on advice from migration/education agents or private college operators while dealing with student issues over advice from student bodies such as FISA?

7.      What is the Consulate's opinion on collapsed colleges?

1. Has the Consulate conducted any impact analysis on Indian students who have been unwittingly become victims of this scam?
2. Has any collapsed college operator been charged for any wrongdoing?
3. Are you in touch with any owner/operator or an agent of any collapsed college?

8.      Is any private college operator or migration/education agent or their immediate family member

1.      In any elected position representing Indians in Victoria

2.      Being investigated for fraud by the Consulate or by Victoria Government (if the Consulate asked for such info)

3.      Does the Consulate ask people to declare their conflict of interest when dealing with the Consulate office, and

4.      What is the Consulate's official policy on dealing with such conflicted people

9.      Last year, Premier announced a Rapid Audit. The result of which was supposed to be released by the end of 2009. The report has not been released yet. Have the Consulate asked them for a copy or details of its release?

10.  What is the Consulate action plan on

1.      Helping young Indians who have become unwilling victims of crime, fraud and scam

2.      Making people aware of agents of Indian origin that may be scamming students

3.      Supporting Indians that are countering racism

4.      Exposing Australian residents, many of Indian, Greek, Chinese and Sri Lankan backgrounds who are exploiting Indian citizens in education, immigration, housing and employment markets and breaking Australian laws?

11.  Do the Consulate support or condemn Victoria Police and particularly the Chief Commissioner when they said or supported the following statements:

1.      Indians must not talk in their native tongue in public places

2.      Indians must look poor

3.      'I've stopped listening to Mr Gupta a long time back as he has not played a constructive role' - Mr S Overland, Chief Commissioner

4.      Does the Consulate think Police has crossed the line and become politically influenced when they make such statements?

12.  Is the Consulate aware of any positive contribution made by Gautam and/or FISA?

13.  FIAV and Consulate.

1.      Does the Consulate think the FIAV followed the court order when changing constitution or electing office-bearers? (The copy of the transcript was provided to the Consulate and the audio recording of the proceeding and finding was heard in the consulate at the community meeting organised by the Consulate.)

2.      Did the Consulate ask anyone to follow or not to follow any part of the order?

3.      If the Consulate are or were made aware of any breaches in the laws or inappropriate applications of law, what will the Consulate do?

4.      A meeting to restructure the FIAV took place at the Consulate residence, where only 5 people participated. Does the Consulate think that was democratic and the outcomes were fair for the community?

5.      Does the Consulate think FIAV is the uniting force in the community? How many Victorian Indians do they represent?

14.  The Consulate has maintained that FISA must change its representation. Can the Consulate suggest how? What role models are there for FISA?

15.  In atleast two interviews the Consulate have suggested that Indian students are to be blamed for the attacks on them. In one such interview it was suggested that 'students coming to Australia are from regional and rural parts of India' implying that these students invite trouble. Please explain. Does the Consulate still maintain it and what suggestions do you give to people, politicians and media on this matter?

16.  Do you agree with the High Commissioner Ms S Singh when she singled out Victoria as the only trouble state within Australia?

1. Why do you think Victoria is the only such state?
2. Does the Consulate actually think there is anything wrong with Victoria or this is all a media beat-up as claimed by Victorian Premier?

17.  Does the Consulate support statements made by prominent Australians like Greg Sheridan, Ted Baillieu, Chris Nyland, Simon Marginson, Archbishop Frier, Tony Abbott and Peter Cosgrove. They have all repeated the statement made by Gautam and FISA about racism and institutional racism in Victoria and Australia.

18.  Some people believe that Indian consulate's actions are supporting Labor government especially when they side with them in criticising Indian students and Indian student leadership.

1. Does the Consulate disagree with those doubting people?
2. Have the Consulate actually supported and provided support to Indian student representation?

19.  Why does the Consulate think hundreds of students contacted Gautam and/or FISA for help despite having IISAC and Indian Consulate? 

20.  When Minister SM Krishna was in Melbourne, Indian High Commissioner Ms S Singh declared that every Indian that wants legal help will be provided with and has been provided with.

1. Can the Consulate please provide us with details as to how many cases have the Indian Government provided legal help in?
2. What level of courts did the case go in and who was the lawyer?
3. Can not-for-profit organisations such as FISA who fights for life, dignity and rights of ordinary Indian student get legal representation?

21.  Consulate has provided support to Indian community groups even access to infrastructure.

1. Will FISA be given the access and support?
2. What will FISA need to do to get that support?

22.  FISA has submitted a detailed submission to the Australia Federal Senate enquiry. A copy of submission was provided to the Consulate and High Commission.

1. What is the Consulate opinion about the content of the submission?
2. Have the Consulate provided a brief to MEA on its contents?
3. Does the Consulate think there are merits in the submission?
4. Have the Consulate encouraged any submission from any organisation?
5. Was the Consulate disappointed that there was only one submission from the whole Indian community? 

23. If we want to access copies of information that the Consulate/High commission is holding (if any) or have communicated to MEA about any individual or organisation, under what Act can we request that information be provided – RTI (India) or FOI (Australia). What is the process?