Hindu Council urges Royal Commission submissions

The Hindu Council of Australia is encouraging Hindu organisations and individuals to make submissions to the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion, citing parallel experiences of discrimination and a longstanding bond with the Jewish community.

National President Sai Paravastu told The AJN that Hindus in Australia faced challenges similar to those documented by Jewish witnesses appearing before the Commission.

“We have similar lived experiences,” he said. “What has happened with the community, with the Jewish community, especially Jewish brothers and sisters, is something which has been happening with us as well. So we live in this fear and hostility all the time.”

Paravastu said Hindus were often unfairly cast as aggressors and pointed to accusations of Islamophobia as a particular source of frustration.

“They misinterpret and try to use us as a target, saying these are the people who are hating us rather than correcting themselves,” he said. “Rather than fixing that, they try to find fault somewhere else and pinpoint others saying that, oh, you’ve been Islamophobic.”