As dusk settled over Sydney’s Hyde Park, an emotional gathering unfolded beneath the sprawling fig trees, where friends and community members came together to honour the life of Bikram Lama, a 32-year-old homeless man who tragically died alone. Attendees lit electric candles in vibrant hues of blue, red, white, and purple, symbolising their collective grief and the urgent need for change in how society treats its most vulnerable.
A Life Cut Short
Bikram Lama, who had journeyed from Nepal to Australia in search of educational opportunities, met a tragic fate, remaining undiscovered for as long as a week after his passing. The stark reality of his death serves as a grim reminder of the systemic failures that often leave those without a permanent home invisible. Erin Longbottom, a dedicated homelessness support worker, articulated this sentiment poignantly during the vigil, stating, “No one should be left to die in the middle of Sydney, alone and unseen.”
Longbottom, who leads the nursing unit at St Vincent’s Health, noted that despite their efforts to assist Lama, his status as a non-resident severely limited his access to necessary support services. “Late last year, my team and I arrived at work to the news that one of the young non-residents we had been trying to support had died,” she reflected. “That was Bikram. Tonight we remember him.”
Community Voices Rise
Among the attendees was Bam Bunyalak, who shared her own experience of homelessness after fleeing family violence upon arriving in Australia from Thailand. “Being a non-resident feels like a disease with many symptoms,” she explained. “Homelessness is one of those symptoms; mental health struggles is another.” Her heartfelt speech resonated with the crowd, emphasising that every life matters, irrespective of race, gender, or residency status.
Bunyalak’s words highlighted the plight faced by many non-residents who often find themselves at the mercy of an unyielding system. “Bikram deserved a better life, but now he is gone. He did not get the chance to say goodbye to his family,” she lamented.
Calls for Accountability
The vigil also drew the attention of local politicians, including independent MP Alex Greenwich, who has been vocal about the need for an inquest into Lama’s death. Greenwich revealed that he had spoken with Premier Chris Minns and urged the state attorney general, Michael Daley, to investigate the policies that may have contributed to Lama’s tragic end. “I’m concerned that at a state and federal level, we have policies that discriminate against rough sleepers who are non-residents,” he stated, underlining the proximity of Lama’s death to the halls of power, located just 200 metres from the New South Wales Parliament.
This tragic incident is not isolated; it follows a string of similar cases, including the deaths of a newborn at a homeless camp and a young Indigenous mother succumbing to sepsis after eviction. These events have prompted experts and advocacy groups to call for a renewed commitment to addressing homelessness in Australia.
A Call to Action
Longbottom’s poignant closing remark encapsulated the collective resolve of the gathering: “Homelessness is solvable – if we as a society choose to solve it.” The vigils and conversations ignited by Lama’s untimely passing serve as a rallying cry for systemic change.
Why it Matters
Bikram Lama’s story is a stark reminder of the human cost of indifference and the urgent need for comprehensive reforms within the homelessness support system. His death underscores the fundamental truth that no one should face the end of their life without dignity or recognition. As communities around Australia reflect on his life, there is an opportunity to galvanise support for policies that ensure every individual, regardless of their circumstances, is valued and cared for. Only through collective action can we hope to eradicate homelessness and prevent further tragedies like Lama’s from occurring.
