Amitabh Bachchan shuns Australia honour

New Delhi, June 2 (ANI): Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan has turned down an honorary doctorate from an Australian university to protest a recent spate of attacks on Indian students studying there.

Bachchan said he could not bring himself to go for celebration in a country, which has witnessed horrific acts against his own countrymen.

"I just felt that a retrospective is like a celebration and to be going for my own celebration to a country or a region that has witnessed such horrific acts against my own countrymen to be not very ethical. I have very politely excused myself," Bachchan said.

The attacks, which Indian media have called raced-based, have caused some diplomatic discomfort, with the Indian Government summoning the Australian Ambassador last week to convey its concern and urge action.

The Prime Ministers of the two countries also discussed the attacks that have dominated newspaper and television headlines in India during the past week.

Four Indian students were attacked with a screwdriver by a gang at a Melbourne party last weekend. One of the victims remains in hospital with serious injuries.

Another Indian student was attacked in what appeared to be a robbery, and there were three other attacks in early May, including two on Indian taxi drivers. (ANI)