Daijiworld Media Network - Geelong
Geelong, Feb 19: A 22-year-old Indian-origin nurse from Punjab was allegedly assaulted in a suspected racial attack at a gym in Corio near Geelong, close to Melbourne, leaving him with a broken nose and severe trauma.
Harmanpreet Singh told local media that he was confronted by three men while training inside a gym. According to Singh, the trio verbally abused him and continued harassing him outside the premises.
He alleged that as he stepped out, the three men were waiting and called him an “Indian dog” and told him to “go back to where you came from.” One of the men then allegedly headbutted him on the nose, causing heavy bleeding.
“He got really close to my face and then just got really back and hit his head on my nose,” Singh said, adding that the attackers fled immediately after the assault.
Local residents rushed him to hospital, where doctors advised that he may require specialist treatment and possibly surgery. Singh said he remains traumatised by the attack and claimed this was not the first time he had experienced racial abuse in Australia.
The incident comes amid rising concerns within the Indian community about an alleged spike in racial attacks targeting Indian-Australians, ranging from verbal abuse to violent assaults.
Tensions reportedly intensified following anti-immigration ‘March for Australia’ rallies last year. In July 2025, a 23-year-old Indian-origin man, Amanpreet Singh, was seriously injured in Adelaide after being allegedly attacked by five men without provocation.
The assailants reportedly used metal knuckles or sharp weapons while shouting racist slurs, leaving him with severe facial injuries and brain trauma.
Earlier this month, several businesses owned by Indian-Australians were reportedly targeted by thieves. Incidents of vandalism at religious places, including the Shree Swaminarayan Hindu Temple, have further heightened fear among members of the community.
The latest case has once again raised serious concerns about increasing incidents of racial abuse and violence faced by members of the Indian diaspora abroad.