A group of individuals from the Indian diaspora residing in Australia launched the 'Desis for Yes' initiative on Tuesday for the upcoming Voice referendum.
The primary objective of Desis for Yes is to engage in conversations with families, communities, and businesses, aiming to educate South Asian Australians on the Voice to Parliament.
By providing knowledge prior to the vote, the campaign seeks to ensure that community members are equipped to make informed decisions.
Constitutional lawyer and director of the Radical Centre Reform Lab, Dr Shireen Morris, said that more than "150 multicultural community organisations now signed up at multiculturalforvoice.org to support a Yes vote in the Voice referendum".
"There are new sign-ups daily, and this includes multiple South Asian community organisations, demonstrating immense and growing good will amongst this sector of the population," she said.
"Support will only grow as awareness and understanding of the need for Indigenous constitutional recognition increases. It is fantastic to see so many South Asian Australians stepping up to be part of the campaign."
This #NAIDOCWeek2023 we are excited to launch 'Desis For Yes.'
We are a group of South Asian Australians aiming to connect our communities with the #indigenous #VoiceToParliament #referendum & the Uluru Statement from the Heart.
Give us a follow!@yes23au @ulurustatement pic.twitter.com/Gef7Icnr05
— Desis For Yes (@desisforyes) July 4, 2023
Co-Convenor of Desis for Yes and Co-Chair of the Sydney Alliance, Nishadh Rego, said "the upcoming referendum, Australia's first in the twenty-first century, is a unique opportunity for South Asian Australians to walk with Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander communities as they seek constitutional recognition and a say on issues that affect them".
"So many of us in the diaspora are interested in the referendum and inevitably have questions about what it means and what its consequences will be.
"In response, Desis for Yes will work within our communities to strengthen awareness and understanding of the referendum and build connection to the Uluru Statement from the Heart, which outlines a path towards a fairer and more inclusive future for indigenous Australians," said Rego.
Co-Convenor of Desis for Yes and young lawyer, Khushaal Vyas said "South Asian communities are passionate about improving the lives of First Nations communities".
"However, many have not had the opportunity to learn about the history that has resulted in the barriers that Indigenous Australians face today. It's a history South Asians can resonate with given the impacts of colonialism are also still felt today in the subcontinent.
"Desis for Yes will closely with other campaign bodies to bridge that knowledge gap and will walk with Indigenous Australians to pave a brighter future ahead. We hope that South Asian and multicultural Australians join us on this journey to stand hand-in-hand with Indigenous Australians and take a major step forward for Australia together."
Desis for Yes will co-host their first face-to-face community conversation at Western Sydney University in Parramatta on Sunday 23 July 2023 from 12pm.
