Attack on Kazim in Australia was not racist

Anita Nayar, Consul General of India in Melbourne replying to a query by the Civil Liberties India in Hyderabad said that she was responding to queries regarding Khan's status based on the request made by the Indian High Commission in Canberra.

In her response on Khan's status, she has said that he was assaulted by two hoodlums on June 22. The duo was later arrested in connection with this case and also another case in which they had assaulted a non-Indian.

"Kazim told us that there had been no robbery nor was there any verbal abuse or any kind of racist remarks. The two offenders just walked up to him, punched him in the face and went away," Nayar said.

An Australian woman who witnessed the incident helped him to get in touch with the police and the ambulance service, Nayar added.

On Monday, he was given emergency medical attention which consisted of stitches both below and above his eyes.

He complained of blurred vision and pain in the affected area. He was on Wednesday examined by an eye specialist to whom he had been referred by the hospital, and was told that there is some swelling behind the retina  which will take a couple of weeks to subside after which his vision should return to normal.

He has sustained no other injuries. He has asked that his family be reassured about his condition.

"We have also put him in touch with voluntary social services in Australia who will try to help him with his medical bills (his medical insurance has been allowed to lapse) and with free legal assistance on how to claim victim compensation from the Australian government," the response from Australia also stated.