Following threats of heavy fines and jail time for Australian citizens and residents returning from India, those who remain on the subcontinent say they have been 'abandoned' by the federal government, with some are even receiving abusive text messages from members of the public.
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In the past five years, the number of overseas-born migrants from India grew more than any other group in Australia, increasing from 449,000 to 721,000. Indian residents leapfrogged New Zealand-born and China-born migrants in the 2020 government figures to rank second in the country, behind only those from England.
Despite their increasing numbers and growing political voice, it appears those of Indian origin still do not matter enough in the mainstream Australian public sphere.
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This is most apparent in the recent travel ban imposed by the federal government on flights from COVID-ravaged India. Not only are Australian citizens prohibited from entering their own country, they also risk fines of up to $66,000 or five years’ jail time if they attempt to do so.
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Rajni Gill woke up with a slight fever in mid-April, the first warning that she had COVID-19. Within a few days, she was breathless and nearly unconscious in a hospital.
Desperate to arrange plasma treatment for Dr Gill, a gynaecologist in the city of Noida, her family called doctors, friends, anyone they thought could help. Then her sister posted a plea on Facebook: “I am looking for a plasma donor for my sister who is hospitalised in Noida. She is B positive and is 43.”
The message, quickly amplified on Twitter, flashed across the phone of Srinivas B.V., an opposition politician in nearby Delhi, who was just then securing plasma for a college student. He deputised a volunteer donor to rush to the blood bank for Dr Gill.
WATCH: Aussie prime minister backs down on jail threats as India travel ban backlash intensifies
By The Washington Post
By Michael E. Miller
Washington - The backlash intensified on Tuesday to Australia s threat to jail or fine citizens fleeing India, prompting Prime Minister Scott Morrison to play down the risk of penalties after a former cricket star accused him of having blood on his hands for abandoning thousands of Australians in the coronavirus-hit country.
The government s announcement that citizens returning to Australia after recently spending time in India could face five years in jail, a $50 000 (about R723 000) fine or both has sparked criticism from across the political spectrum.
Perhaps the most strident criticism came from former cricket star Michael Slater, who accused Prime Minister Scott Morrison of having "blood" on his hands.