The family is surrounded by a group of Sikh volunteers who arrived at their doorstep just after midday, carrying bags of containers full of warm lentils and creamy mutter paneer, a curry made with peas and fresh cheese.
The Sikhsâ eyes lower with pain and sorrow as they chant the Japji Sahib prayer and then the Ardas prayer for Jasbirâs soul to rest in eternal peace.
Manpreet Singh, the vice-president of Sikh Volunteers Australia, a charity which distributes free meals to the homeless, says the volunteers had spent this week visiting Indian Australians in their homes. He hears of more bereavements every day.
Following threats of heavy fines and jail time for Australian citizens and residents returning from India, those who remain on the subcontinent say they have been 'abandoned' by the federal government, with some are even receiving abusive text messages from members of the public.
âIf there were 10,000 Australians with white skin would they have done the same thing? Noâ
Weâre sorry, this service is currently unavailable. Please try again later.
Dismiss
Save
Normal text size
Advertisement
Furious community leaders have accused the federal government of imposing âracistâ jail terms on Australians who return from India amid a wider row over the secrecy involved in the emergency controls on citizen rights.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison is also facing growing unrest among government MPs who want the sanctions eased as soon as possible out of concern that the âextremeâ measures impose great hardship on the community.
Jail Time for Arrivals From India Part of BioSecurity Act: Chief Medical Officer
Australia’s top medical officer has revealed he did not advise the government to threaten Australians trying to dodge the Indian travel ban with jail.
The Morrison government has copped strident criticism from doctors, human rights groups and the Indian-Australian community over the punitive measures.
Massive fines or up to five years behind bars are in place for people who find a way around a temporary pause on travellers from India due to COVID-19.
While senior government ministers have pointed to health advice as to the basis of the decision, Chief Medical Officer Paul Kelly said the powers already existed.
David Crowe and Rachel Clun09:54, May 04 2021
Furious community leaders have accused the Australian Government of imposing “racist” jail terms on Australians who return from India amid a wider row over the secrecy involved in the emergency controls on citizen rights. Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison is also facing growing unrest among MPs who want the sanctions eased as soon as possible out of concern that the “extreme” measures impose great hardship on the community. Indian leaders said they were “blindsided” by the Government announcement at midnight on Friday night when they had been in meetings with federal ministers earlier that day and heard no suggestion of the coming move.