Rudd disagrees with nephew’s stand on racism against Indians in Australia

CANBERRA - While Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has defended his nephew’s right to protest, he doesn’t agree with Van Thanh Rudd’s stand that the violence directed at Indian students in Australia was racist.

“We all believe in free speech but I don’t agree with what he said,” The Sun quoted Rudd, as saying.

Van, a Melbourne-based artist, made headlines in the Indian media after dressing up in a Ku Klux Klan hood on Australia Day to protest against the ongoing racist attacks.

Rudd said he had a broad family and his 36-year-old nephew had two brothers - a policeman and a member of the Australian Defence Force.

“I haven’t had a chat with him for quite some months,” he said.

They are the sons of the Rudd’s brother Malcolm, a Vietnam veteran, and his wife Tuoi. (ANI)