Blaming the media in India of blowing out of proportion the issue of Indian students being attacked in Australia,leaders of the community said on Tuesday that it was time for the fourth estate to "chill down" as Canberra has shown "excellent sensitivity" towards the matter. Leaders of the community hailed the efforts being taken by Australia to curb violence against Indian students in Victoria and said the Government needs to be given some time to execute its plan of action. They also felt that the continued media coverage could overcast the real issues faced by Indian students. Yadhu Singh,Sydney-based cardiologist,said the message of the safety of Indian students has reached "clearly and loudly" to the highest level in Australia. "Indian media is in some hysteria. They need to chill down now. We need to give them (Australians) some time to execute action plan," he said. Echoing his views,Primus chief Ravi Bhatia said the Australian government has shown "excellent sensitivity" towards the issue by announcing a slew of measures like Harmony march,reforms in the state sentencing law and setting up of Task Force to deal with attacks on Indian students. Hoping that the efforts by the government to curb such incidents will be effective,Bhatia said "we must give time to the institutions (Australian) to execute their plan." Asked whether the Indian media was overplaying the issue,he said: "It would seem to me. We have been heard loud and clear. It was now time to cool down a bit." Singh,who heads a committee constituted by the Indian consulate to look at the students issues,said there is a problem with Indian media and the leadership and "they can't assess a situation in a rational way." Agreeing with Singh,Bhatia said Indian media was not well positioned to make a judgement call in relation to those demonstrations that were held here. They also felt that the media coverage on such attacks could backfire on Indians living here for years. Singh said: "Something like this happens and they think: "The whole world is against us." I mean,burning effigies of Kevin Rudd . come on. This is not a racist country. Every country has one or two racists. When Australian [missionary Graham Staines was burnt to death [by Hindu extremists in January 1999,did everyone call India racist? No",he said. Bhatia also took exception to various political parties raking up the issue and said 'it is absolutely ludicrous. We don't need help from fringe groups in India." "For those who feel threatened here,why don't they go back," a community member said on the condition of anonymity. He said that he was facing stressed relation with his Australian colleagues.
