In a poignant gathering at Sydney’s Hyde Park, a community came together to honour Bikram Lama, a 32-year-old man whose life ended tragically while he experienced homelessness. Attendees lit electric candles, their vibrant hues of blue, red, white, and purple illuminating the somber atmosphere as they paid tribute to a life that, in many ways, exemplified the struggles faced by countless individuals in similar circumstances.
A Tragic Farewell
As dusk settled beneath the sprawling fig trees, the vigil provided a space for reflection and mourning. Erin Longbottom, a dedicated homelessness support worker, delivered a moving speech, emphasising the tragedy of Lama’s loneliness in death. “No one should be left to die in the middle of Sydney, alone and unseen,” she asserted, highlighting the urgent need for societal change surrounding homelessness.
Longbottom, who leads the nursing unit at St Vincent’s Health, had been working with Lama prior to his passing. Her voice trembled as she recounted the moment she learned of his death. “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. That was Bikram. Tonight we remember him.”
Lama, who had journeyed from Nepal to Australia seeking education and opportunity, tragically succumbed to the harsh realities of homelessness. His body, undiscovered for nearly a week, was found in a state of decomposition, further underscoring the urgency of the situation.
Community Outrage and Calls for Change
The circumstances surrounding Lama’s death have sparked outrage within the Australian-Nepalese community, particularly due to the delays in confirming his identity through DNA testing. His elderly mother has been compelled to travel from her remote village in Kathmandu, facing a distressing wait that has further compounded the family’s grief.
Bam Bunyalak, who attended the vigil, shared her own harrowing experiences as a non-resident. Having fled family violence in Thailand and faced years of homelessness in Australia, she articulated the profound challenges that accompany such a status. “Being a non-resident can feel like a disease with many symptoms,” she explained. “Homelessness is one of the symptoms. Mental health struggles are another. Bikram deserved a better life, but now he is gone.”
In her heartfelt address, Bunyalak called for recognition of the inherent value of every life, regardless of one’s background or residency status. “Every single life matters, regardless of race, gender identity, background or residency,” she urged.
Policy Implications and Political Response
The vigil also attracted the attention of local political figures. Independent MP Alex Greenwich, who has taken a proactive stance following Lama’s death, revealed that he had met with Premier Chris Minns to advocate for an inquest into the circumstances surrounding the tragedy. He expressed concern over policies that he believes unfairly discriminate against rough sleepers who are non-residents. “Bikram died only about 200 metres from NSW parliament,” Greenwich stated, underscoring the proximity of political decision-making to the issues at hand.
The recent deaths of other vulnerable individuals, including a newborn at a homeless camp and a young Indigenous mother succumbing to sepsis after eviction, have intensified calls for systemic reform. Experts in the field warn that these tragedies should serve as a wake-up call for Australia.
Why it Matters
The loss of Bikram Lama is not just a singular tragedy; it is a reflection of a much larger societal failure. The emotional outpouring from the community at his vigil serves as a stark reminder that homelessness is not an isolated issue but a complex crisis that requires urgent action. As advocates like Erin Longbottom remind us, “No one should die because they are homeless.” The time has come for all of us to confront the uncomfortable truths about homelessness and work collectively towards sustainable solutions that ensure the dignity and humanity of every individual.
