Provide security not absurd comments: BJP tells Oz Govt

New Delhi: Voicing concern over repeated attacks on Indian students in Australia, the BJP today asked the Australian Government to rein in Aussie officials from issuing 'unsolicited and absurd suggestions' for the safety and security of the students.

All India BJP Joint Convenor of Overseas Cell Vijay Jolly expressed dismay over the reported suggestion of Victorian Police Chief Simon Overland to Indian students to ''look poor to avoid attacks'' down under.

''Such comments invoke ridicule and provoke unruly elements to stoke further violence,'' he said.

He said Indian students were not so wealthy in pockets but were wealthy in brains. But despite assurances of Australian Premier Kevin Rudd attacks on the Indian students had not stopped, he regretted.

Recalling a similar earlier statement by Australian Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard saying murders and attacks were not only committed in Melbourne but were a regular feature in Indian cities like Delhi and Mumbai too.

''Such inflammatory and uncharitable statements first by the Deputy Premier and now the Victorian Police Chief are considered undiplomatic and injure the Indian psyche,'' claimed Mr Jolly.

The former MLA said the BJP considered Australia a friendly nation but if Indian students continued to be the subject of racial attacks then relations between the two countries would turn sour.