MELBOURNE, 2 July, 2024: A few days have passed since the ABC Four Corners In-depth program, ‘Spies, secrets and threats: How the Modi regime targets people overseas’ was originally broadcast as ‘Infiltrating Australia’ on 17 June 2024 on ABC TV and ABC iview. It is now on YouTube and shared widely.
The program was reported by Avani Dias (former ABC South Asia News Bureau Chief in New Delhi, left India after she was asked to leave.) with additional reporting by Meghna Bali and produced by Mayeta Clark. The program on YouTube had 530k views a couple of weeks back, and is generating more viewership, diverse reactions and controversy.
In a nutshell, the program’s investigation alleges a local “nest of spies” previously disrupted by ASIO and meets some Australian Indian (Diaspora) residents who allege they felt threatened by India’s authorities. But India has called the program as ‘untruth’ and ‘biased’.
Here are a few stands taken on the issue:
India’s stand
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India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson, Mr. Randhir Jaiswal in a briefing in New Delhi on 21 June, 2024 said: the ABC program contains “blatant untruths’ and is ‘biased and reflects unprofessional reporting”, “It serves a particular aganda to malign India”, “we obviously oppose any such actions that condone, justify, glorify terrorism.” And added, ” Don’t want to go into all the issues in the program.”
The spokesperson did not comment on a question as what retaliatory steps India could take after the removal of four alleged Indian spies from Australia.
SAT emailed ABC News for its reaction/comment on India’s stand on the Four Corner’s program. No reply has been received so far.
Andrew Charlton stand & reaction
Meanwhile, in Australia, within the Indian Diaspora the issue seems to be catching up, with the NSW Labor backbencher Andrew Charlton issuing a statement saying, ” Like many others, I watched tonight’s episode of Four Corners. We need to see balanced media coverage of the Australia-India relationship.”
While many have supported Andrew Charlton on Facebook, Manbir Singh Kohli, Kahte Sunte Radiozine says, “Typical gobbledygook from an Australian politician, Andrew Chartlon MP . Just a broad meaningless statement without giving any detail on what was right or wrong in the documentary.
If you really mean anything Andrew, why not explain what you agreed or disagreed with? Apart from making a motherhood statement about how a balanced report is needed or that India and Australia are two great democracies you haven’t said anything of substance.
If you think something was wrong, say it and say the ABC is wrong. All you are doing is dog-whistling and revving up a mob to super sell your book and get re-elected.
Truly embarrassed as a Labor supporter.”
Australian Government
Responding to the ABC documentary the Australian government said, “Australia values diversity and inclusion, where people should be safe and free to express who they are, including their faith and heritage. We do not tolerate violence or threats of violence. Australia’s foreign interference laws are unequivocal,” a government spokesperson said in a statement.
The Age
The Age (Indian Mutiny, 20 Jun 2024) says : “The MP didn’t explain what exactly he found imbalanced about the ABC’s reporting, nor did he take up our offer to elaborate. Although he did use the press release to plug his own recent book on the subject, Australia’s Pivot to India, even handily attaching a pic of the cover. As if the owner of a $40 million property portfolio needs to worry about book sales!Charlton’s tome reads like the kind of effort you thrash together to justify getting parachuted into a seat that covers the heartland of Sydney’s India diaspora, with the more troubling aspects of Modi’s Hindu nationalistic agenda barely getting a mention.”
OFBJP
In a statement, Jay Shah President, Overseas Friends of BJP Australia said, ” ABC has been spreading a series of disinformation pieces targeting the huge diaspora that wants strong Australia India relations and supports Prime Minister Narendra Modi.”
Hindu Council of Australia
President Sai Paravastu in a statement said, “The article authored by Avani Dias, Mayeta Ckark, Mridula Amin, and Dylan Welch on ABC News, demonstrates a consistent bias and unfair representation of Hindus and our culture, particularly for those who are living in Australia.
The Hindu Council of Australia is deeply disappointed by the actions of the ABC News and Four Corners.”
Gurudwara Council of Victoria
In a statement it said, ” The GCV emphasizes the importance of safeguarding the rights and freedoms of all individuals in Australia, regardless of their ethnic or religious backgrounds. We sincerely thank Avani Dias and the team at ABC, for their brave and through investigation, which has brought these critical issues to the forefront. Their work is essential in mentioning transparency and accountability in our society and in highlighting issues that nthreaten the integrity and safety of our multicultural society.”
The report will be updated if more views on the subject are received.
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