Hi Signatories,
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for signing and sharing this petition demanding a public apology from the Treasurer Josh Frydenberg, for his dreadful derision in Parliament last week of Wellness, Hinduism, Buddhism, Meditation and Yoga. If you have chipped in to help promote the petition I am truly grateful.
Recap - Late last week I watched in shock at the video of Frydenberg's performance that was doing the rounds on Twitter, and was spurred to create this petition. At that point the mass media hadn't given this behaviour by a so-called leader the attention it warranted. Over the weekend that situation changed. All mainstream media tv channels ran the story pretty along the same lines and with the headline "Frydenberg urged to do the right thing" or "urged to rethink" his comments against Hindus.
The right thing has to be to publicly and unequivocally sincerely apologise to Hindus of course, but also to Yoga Practitioners, Buddhists, Hare Krishna followers, and millions of other Australians who have been offended by this culturally insensitive bullying, racism, intolerance and mockery of how so many of us choose to live our lives.
This is an article from Ch9 News.
The video of the sickening episode in Parliament is now available on YouTube so please share to make others aware of how the Treasurer denigrated religions, cultures and a chosen positive peaceful lifestyle of millions of citizens, under the guise of scoring a political point. He sexualises yoga positions and mocks the sacred symbol/sound "Om" in his speech. Also sickening is how his party colleagues laughed hysterically around him, egging him on.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9NrMCWU2prQ
In addition to this petition there have been open letters to Frydenberg written by influential members of Hindu and Hare Krishna communities demanding a public apology. I attach a press release from the Overseas Medical Graduate Association who are also demanding an apology. We all stand together in our need for an apology, and our disbelief at how the Treasurer Josh Frydenberg made light of issues surrounding individual's wellbeing and belief systems.
The hypocrisy of Frydenberg's words and actions, when we take into account how Frydenberg rightly speaks out against anti-semitism and the horror of the Holocaust, is not lost on all of us who have signed.
I have been absolutely blown away by the comments by signatories on this petition. If you have taken time to come here and express your upset and disappointment I thank you and appreciate every single one of you. I will keep promoting this petition because you deserve to have your words heard.
For now I want to share the words of Mr. Raizada who represents the Global Hindu Association for Reform and Sustainable Societies ( GHARS), He took the time last night to write this comment on this petition and I hope that Mr Frydenberg takes the time to read this...
"Global Hindu Association for Reform and Sustainable Societies( GHARS) is established to help, support and unite Hindus and affiliated organisations globally to promote Vedic Culture, Sanatan Dharm and philosophy which is the need of the hour as it promotes universal brotherhood, peaceful coexistence, and respect for all religions. It values and respect nature and consider world as one family. GHARSbreathe, practice and promote Vedic Philosophies and values like one culture and eternal set of duties with selfless service, respect and devotion.
Most of the Hindus world over including Australia are very good citizens contributing positively to their respective countries.
Australia is one of the most multicultural country welcoming and respecting all religions providing to practice our respective faiths freely and without fear including Hindus. Many faiths, ethnic communities and diverse cultures coexist peacefully in Australia thanks to its democratic values and considerate politicians.
Yoga, as you may be aware, is an ancient Hindu religious practice developed for the physical and psychological wellbeing of humans. Hindus consider Yoga as sacred simply because it provides a pathway to connect to the Divinity in all of us.
Yoga has been practiced in India for thousands of years with huge benefits to the mankind and most of the countries supported it to be practiced globally and accepted
21 June to be World Yoga Day at a resolution passed at UN with majority votes. You might be aware that in Australia well being and yoga related programs are being followed and practiced by many ADH veterans who are suffering from a range of mental health issues including PTSD.
Having such a cordial and positive atmosphere we Hindus and Indians are deeply hurt by Treasurer and Liberal MP Mr. Frydenberg’s appalling, ill informed and offensive comments towards Hinduism and Yoga on the floor of the house on 27th Feb 2020. while responding to Opposition’s “Well Being Budget”
The comments made by Mr. Frydenberg are not only derisive towards the Hindu community world over including Australia and is highly inappropriate on several levels.
1. He conjured up a Hindu stereotype, mocked Hindu practices and made absurd references to Yogic postures to counter Opposition’s “Well Being Plan”
2. Used the Parliament Floor as a platform to ridicule Hinduism and Yoga
3. General endorsement by Liberal Party on the floor of the house, including the Prime Minister Mr. Scott Morrison, to this charade.
Since It is not just Mr. Frydenberg Liberal Party’s senior party members, including the Prime Minister, cheered on Mr. Frydenberg while he was carrying out this charade. Therefore the Liberal Party needs to clarify if this disrespectful behaviour has its official sanction.
Just to let you know there is an outrage in Hindu Community at this incident. Hindu community has supported Liberals but if our loyalties are paid back in contempt then the community will reconsider its allegiances.
Only an immediate, and unconditional apology by Mr. Frydenberg will mollify the anger in Hindu Community"
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Last year Fraser Anning was rightly censured by Parliament for his vile racism after public opinion demanded it. Why is Josh Frydenberg immune from the same penalty after his racist bigoted speech last week?
Please help me to keep the public's attention on this disgraceful speech from Frydenberg until we hear a sincere apology from him.
Thank you
Judith