The Sunday Age tried to reach out to Surya for comment.
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The controversy comes amid growing tensions fueled by hate speech in India, with right-wing groups increasingly promoting a Hindu view of India that relegates minorities, such as Muslims, to second-class citizens. Political leaders have been accused of tacitly endorsing hate speech while remaining silent.
The youth congress has been running since 2012.
The National Tertiary Education Union also urged the University of Sydney to withdraw its support for the event.
“No University of Sydney site or resource should provide an address or appearance for Surya,” said Nick Riemer, president of the University of Sydney’s union branch.
A University of Sydney spokeswoman said she had recently become aware of some community concerns about Surya’s election at this year’s event. He said the university had raised it with the organizers.
The spokeswoman said all delegates should promote a respectful, safe and tolerant environment for discussions.
“We also accept that [the dialogue] it does not endorse specific political views, but seeks to provide a platform for the variety and complex range of views that exist in both India and Australia. As an elected member of the Indian Parliament, we believe that the participation of this panelist reflects the goal based on our current understanding. “
The spokesman said the university will continue to support the event as they have done for several years and that they are “deeply committed” to protecting freedom of expression and academic freedom.
Monash University, another partner at the event, said it had no influence on the selection of delegates.
Waseem Razvi, a youth counselor at the Melbourne Islamic Academy of Research and Education, said he had received dozens of calls from concerned members of the Indian community after hearing that Surya was coming to Australia.
“I received calls from Indian Hindus, Christians and Sikhs who were surprised that Surya was invited to the conference,” he said.
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Razvi says he worries that Surya’s assistance will cause division and “spread hatred as he has returned home.”
“Australia is a multicultural society, there is a lot of harmony. I don’t think I should be here, “he said.
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