New Delhi- Tamil organizations and Ambedkarite groups across Australia have come together in a united effort to oppose the planned burning of a Ravana effigy during upcoming Deepavali festivals. For many in the Tamil and caste-oppressed Hindu communities, Ravana is a revered ancestral and cultural figure, making this symbolic act deeply offensive.

Viewed as an act of religious vilification, the effigy burning threatens to divide Australia’s multicultural society. Led by the Periyar Ambedkar Thoughts Circle of Australia and supported by various Tamil groups, these organizations are pursuing legal action, public awareness campaigns, and political outreach to halt the effigy burning and demand respect for their cultural identity.

Their collective efforts aim to protect the dignity of marginalized communities and ensure that all cultural groups are treated with equality and inclusivity in Australia.

In a conversation with The Mooknayak, the activists explained that abstaining from the tradition of burning a Ravana effigy from the Deepavali celebrations would not harm the essence or cultural significance of the festival. The true spirit of Deepavali is about the triumph of light over darkness, a theme that can be celebrated in many meaningful ways without offending any community.

As demonstrated by recent Deepavali festivals at Stanhope Gardens and Edmondson Park, which did not include the effigy burning, the core values of the festival were fully preserved. Eliminating this divisive act would enhance the inclusivity of the celebrations, allowing all communities to participate with mutual respect, and would ensure that no group feels marginalized or disrespected. In fact, this step would promote social harmony, reinforcing Australia’s multicultural principles while maintaining the festival’s joyous and spiritual nature.

Cultural Significance of Ravana to Tamils and Caste-Oppressed Hindus

Ravana, often vilified in mainstream Hindu narratives, holds a different meaning for many Tamil communities and caste-oppressed Hindus. In Tamil culture, Ravana is seen as a symbol of wisdom, strength, and resistance against historical oppression. He is considered an ancestral figure and cultural icon, particularly for marginalized communities that have faced centuries of discrimination under caste hierarchies.

The portrayal of Ravana as a villain, culminating in his symbolic public burning during Deepavali and Dussehra, is seen as an act of disrespect and cultural degradation. For Tamils and caste-oppressed Hindus, these effigy burnings are more than just religious displays—they represent the reinforcement of caste-based hierarchies and historical injustices. The effigy burning is viewed as a direct attack on their identity and cultural heritage.

Activists argue that the impact on children and families within the Tamil and caste-oppressed Hindu communities is profound. These children are already growing up in a world that often fails to fully understand or respect their heritage. Witnessing the public burning of a figure they revere as a god, Ravana, sends a painful and damaging message. It communicates that their identity is something to be ashamed of, something that is not welcome or respected in public celebrations. Activists emphasize that this not only undermines the children's pride in their cultural roots but also forces them to question their place and belonging within Australian society, leading to feelings of alienation and exclusion.

Effigy Burning in Blacktown: A Deeply Divisive Act

Blacktown, known for its rich multiculturalism, has become the focal point of this controversy. The Deepavali Festival, organized by the Hindu Council of Australia and Prem Prakash Mandal Mandir, took place on 12 October at Epping Soccer Stadium in the City of Whittlesea in Melbourne, with similar events planned on 19 and 20 October at Blacktown Showgrounds   in Blacktown City Council in Sydney. The public burning of Ravana, as part of the Ravan Dahan ritual, is set to be one of the central acts of these celebrations.

For the Tamil community in Australia, this act is a profound insult. Many feel that the effigy burning promotes division and disrespects their cultural and spiritual beliefs, which contradicts the core values of mutual respect and inclusivity that Australian society stands for.

Campaign and Legal Action: Periyar Ambedkar Thoughts Circle of Australia

Recognizing the gravity of the situation, the Periyar Ambedkar Thoughts Circle of Australia has taken significant steps to address this issue. Led by the association's President Dr. Anna Mahizhnan, community activists and intellectuals, the organization is mobilizing Tamil Australians and allies through a combination of legal, political, and public awareness efforts. Their goal is to halt the effigy burning and foster a more inclusive dialogue around cultural representation in public spaces.

The key components of the campaign are as follows:

1. Political Outreach and Public Awareness

   • Email Campaign to MPs: The group is urging concerned citizens to send emails to their local Federal and State Members of Parliament (MPs) in Blacktown, asking them to intervene and withdraw permission for the effigy burning. The message emphasizes that such acts are harmful to social cohesion and risk dividing one of Australia's most multicultural cities.

   • Public Awareness Campaign: The Tamil community is working to raise awareness about the issue, highlighting the cultural and religious importance of Ravana. They aim to educate the broader Australian public about why this effigy burning is not simply a religious ritual, but a hurtful act that disrespects a marginalized community.

2. Legal Action

   • The Periyar Ambedkar Thoughts Circle, in collaboration with legal experts, is pursuing legal avenues to prevent the effigy burning. This includes challenging the Blacktown City Council’s decision to allow the event on government-leased premises, under state and federal anti-discrimination and vilification laws.

   • Remedies Sought:

     • Public Apology: The Tamil community is demanding a public apology from the event organizers and the councils involved in permitting the event, acknowledging the harm caused.

     • Undertaking to Stop Future Events: They are also seeking a formal commitment that no such effigy burning will be allowed in future public events.

     • Consultation with Caste-Oppressed Communities: The Tamil community is pushing for a mandatory consultation process with caste-oppressed and marginalized groups when planning public events. This includes ensuring that government bodies leasing premises for such events are sensitive to the cultural significance of practices they endorse.

     • Legal Costs and Compensation: The campaign is also seeking compensation for the hurt and humiliation inflicted on the Tamil community as a result of this act.

Community Solidarity and Support

The campaign has garnered significant support, with many community members and organizations coming together to stand against this act of vilification. The collective efforts of Tamil groups, including Sydney Tamil Manram and the Brisbane Team, have raised public awareness.

Supporters are being encouraged to donate to the campaign and to spread the message by engaging with political representatives, raising awareness through social media, and contributing to the legal fund. With $1,465 AUD already raised toward their $5,000 target, the campaign is gaining momentum and aims to secure a favorable resolution.

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