AUS-INDIANS 2

Gupta said Indians need not look "poor" to feel safe.
"What is he (Overland) saying? Indians don't have the right to
be rich? And if they look rich, do they may be have to get
bashed? On one hand, everyone should look poor. On the other,
don't live in poor areas (where crime rate is high). I don't
understand."

On Overland's remarks that taxi drivers, including
Indians, had a right to feel safe no matter what their
nationality was, Gupta said "it's a work place. Every work
place should be safe. I think it's a ridiculous idea. It is
blaming the worker. It is blaming the victim."
However, Victorian Immigrant and Refugee Women's
Coalition Executive Director Melba Marginson, who was the
organiser of yesterday's forum, said Overland was just trying
to describe few strategies to the students on how to avoid
criminals' attention.
"It was in context to safety issues. Media has twisted
Overland's statement. What he meant was to take some
precautionary measures while travelling to a high risk area,"
said Marginson, who also chaired the forum. (More) PTI NC

AHM


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