Where are the Indians?
It’s time for Indian-origin Aussies to represent the community in politics, says MARK SHARMA
It’s that time of the year again. Train stations, schools, shopping centres have turned into battlegrounds and the media is all over the place like a rash. Our letterboxes are clogged with daily pamphlets and the repetitive TV ads are driving people insane.
I’m referring of course, to the most discussed topic right now, i.e. the New South Wales state elections. Come March 26, political pundits are predicting, the 16-year Labor rule in the state will finally come to an end. Not only will Labor lose its majority but if we were to go by recent polls, it is likely that it will be completely wiped off the NSW political radar. Most commentators have predicted that Labor will win between 16-20 seats, a far cry from the 50 members that it currently holds. On the other hand, Liberal/National coalition is a favourite to win as many as 68 seats, a record of sorts for them. Barry O’Farrell, who has steadily held the fort for Liberals for the last four years, is all set to be rewarded with the Premiership.
Research shows that the Indian vote can affect the outcomes of as many as 14 seats in NSW, but despite that there are hardly any Indian candidates or organisations involved in securing better results for us.
All these are important political developments. A new O’Farrell government will have new policies and new ways of looking at different issues, including those that affect us both directly and indirectly. In the past the Indian community has had to deal with tough issues, from the students’ crisis to the ALP refusing to sell uranium to India. While there is only so much that the incoming government can do for the growing Indian-Australian community, nonetheless, it makes sense to have a stronger engagement with it.
But herein lays the problem. The fact of the matter is that there is almost next to nil participation by us in the political process of this country that we call home. Research shows that the Indian vote can affect the outcomes of as many as 14 seats in NSW, but despite that there are hardly any Indian candidates or organisations involved in securing better results for us.
The growing Indian community needs new leaders and representatives who will work within the mainstream political parties and articulate a different point of view.
People of Indian origin, who are now a part and parcel of Australian life, need to change their outlook about their role in this country. The stereotypical Indian thinking of securing a house and a good job needs to change. Without sounding like a self-serving advertisement, I have to say that I’m probably the only person who is actively doing my bit in representing the Indian voice in the wider political arena. But that is not enough.
Individuals and other groups of Indian background should play a more active role. Let me clarify that I’m not asking for the formation of an “Indian Party”. There are a few people who are floating this nonsensical idea without realising the consequences. Any political party that caters to only one small group of people will never succeed, and it will be detrimental to the overall cause of Indians in Australia. The failure of Pauline Hanson’s One Nation is a perfect example of what “not to do” when running for office.
What we really need today is to have more people of Indian background joining the two mainstream political parties i.e. Labor and Liberals, and playing an active role in the party of their choice. But just joining a political party and getting into a clique with its leaders is far cry from playing an active role. The growing Indian community needs new leaders and representatives who will work within the mainstream political parties and articulate a different point of view. This is not something sinister. It is already being done by various ethnicities like the Jews, Muslims, Italians, Tamils and others.
