The attacks on Indians Down Under are condemnable but the perception that Australia is a racist society is incorrect, asserted fast bowler Brett Lee.
Lee, an immensely popular figure in India who has also acted in a Bollywood movie, said he is concerned by the way the Indian media is reporting about the attacks.
"I've been trying to explain to the Indian media that we're not a racist country," Lee was quoted as saying by The Daily Telegraph.
"The general chit-chat around the Indian public is fine, they love Australians coming to their country, but most of the problems seem to be driven through the Indian media," he added.
Lee reiterated that Indians were welcome in Australia.
"I tried to make it very clear over there that Australian people and our society, which is so multi-cultural, welcome Indian people with open arms. What has happened is terrible, no matter who's at fault," he said.