In a poignant gathering at Sydney’s Hyde Park, a community united in grief to honour the life of Bikram Lama, a 32-year-old man who died homeless and alone in the city. Attendees held electric candles in a spectrum of colours—blue, red, white, and purple—under the sprawling fig trees, creating an emotional tribute to a life that ended tragically and invisibly.
Remembering a Life Cut Short
Erin Longbottom, a dedicated homelessness support worker, delivered a heartfelt address to the crowd, emphasising the harrowing reality that no individual should have to die alone in a city as vibrant as Sydney. “Tonight we remember him,” she said, highlighting the struggles faced by those without a stable home. Longbottom described Bikram as a hopeful young man who came to Australia to pursue education and opportunity, only to encounter the harsh realities of homelessness.
His friend, Joe Trueman, a former rough sleeper himself, accompanied the gathering with a rendition of Phil Collins’ “Another Day in Paradise,” further underscoring the heart-wrenching circumstances surrounding Bikram’s death.
Tragically, Lama’s body lay undiscovered for up to a week, found only after the decomposition made identification difficult. The coroner’s court is still awaiting formal identification, with Lama’s elderly mother having to travel from her remote village in Nepal to provide a DNA sample, a process that has caused additional distress for the grieving family and the Australian-Nepalese community.
The Broader Implications of Lama’s Death
Bam Bunyalak, a fellow attendee who has her own experiences with homelessness and non-resident status in Australia, spoke out about the compounded struggles faced by individuals like Bikram. She described the experience of being a non-resident as a “disease with many symptoms,” with homelessness being one of the most dire. “Bikram deserved a better life, but now he is gone,” she lamented, urging the assembly to acknowledge that every life matters, regardless of one’s background or residency status.
Amidst the sorrow, the voices of advocacy rose. Independent MP Alex Greenwich revealed that he has engaged with Premier Chris Minns and urged for an inquest into Bikram’s death to explore potential systemic failings. “Policies that discriminate against rough sleepers who are non-residents must be examined,” Greenwich stated, reflecting a growing concern among lawmakers regarding the treatment of vulnerable populations.
A Call to Action
In recent weeks, the deaths of several individuals experiencing homelessness have sparked outrage across the nation. The tragic loss of a newborn at a homeless camp and the death of a young Indigenous mother from sepsis post-eviction have further highlighted the urgent need for reform. Experts assert that these incidents must serve as a turning point for Australia’s approach to homelessness and social support.
Longbottom concluded the vigil with a powerful reminder: “No one should die alone. No one should die invisible. Homelessness is solvable if we as a society choose to solve it.”
Why it Matters
The community gathering for Bikram Lama is not merely a moment of reflection; it is a clarion call for action. It underscores the urgent need for policies that address the root causes of homelessness and ensure that no one is left to suffer in silence. As Australia grapples with the moral implications of these deaths, it is imperative for society to confront the systemic issues at play and advocate for change that prioritises compassion and support for the most vulnerable among us.
