Oz Foreign Minister, HC condemn Victorian police racism against Indians

NEW DELHI - The Australian High Commissioner, Peter Varghese, today condemned the racist email targeting Indians circulated by two members of the Victorian Police force.

After a series of attacks on Indian students in Australia, a racist e-mail scandal has been unearthed that showis Victoria Police officers joking about a video which shows an Indian passenger on the roof of a train getting electrocuted as he touches the high-tension wires.

According to the Herald Sun, the police officers have been implicated for circulating a video of an Indian man getting electrocuted while sitting on top of a train and joking that it could be a way to fix Melbourne”s Indian student problem.

The Ministry of External Affairs summoned the Australian High Commissioner over the shocking email scandal.

Varghese said the email was offensive and unacceptable. It was contrary to the principles of respect and tolerance, which underpinned Australian society.

He welcomed the statement by the Victorian Commissioner of Police, in which the Commissioner said he would deal with the matter in the strongest possible way, including through serious disciplinary charges.

The Australian Foreign Minister and the Premier of Victoria have also strongly condemned the email.

A spokesperson for Australian Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd said that the reported contents of emails circulating among members of the Victorian police are outrageous and offensive.

“Such communications have no place whatsoever in Australian society - let alone among the professional ranks of the Victorian police force. They deserve unqualified condemnation,” the spokesperson said.

Brumby today said racism had no place in Victoria and the State Government had taken strong action to reinforce community tolerance and multiculturalism. (ANI)