Indian-born Community may help create a cohesive multi-cultural and multi-faith society

Professor Des Cahill, OAM, Emeritus Professor of Intercultural Studies at RMIT University and President – Religions for Peace (Australia) has said that it was a disgrace that the Indian students were told to go home during the COVID lockdown, under the Morrison Government. He said the ones who remained did not have food.

Prof Cahill was speaking at the Annual General Meeting of IndianCare, a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to addressing the welfare and wellbeing needs of people of South Asian origin living in Victoria. He said that it was fortunate that IndianCare already existed from 2013 and was able to step into that emergency situation.

Prof Cahill warned about the challenge of ‘mortgage stress’ and the inevitable rising interest rates, which he felt was going to affect the poorer areas. He said what he was not expecting was the impact it would have on the younger couples in middle class areas.

Speaking about last year’s census, Prof Cahill spoke about the remarkable growth in the Indian born population of Australia and its impact on Victoria, and especially Melbourne. He said he was confident that what the Indian community will be able to contribute to Australia will be huge.

He added that the Indian born community and its leaders now have “a greater responsibility for creating and continuing to create a cohesive multi-cultural and multi-faith society”.

Prof Cahill, who also sits on the Victoria Police Multi-faith Council, said he had been made aware of ‘issues’ between the Indian Hindus and Muslims in Australia.
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“It is obviously reflecting what is happening in India.”, he said, adding, “Communities have to be very careful bringing homeland politics into the Australian society.” He warned the Indian community against the dangers of religious extremism and ethno-nationalism.