Online Racism Rises Against Indian-Australians

On a Saturday night in Fitzroy, a lively South Indian club night unfolded at Laundry Bar, pulsating with bass and filled with dancing bodies. But beneath the rhythmic beats and carefree moves, the event represented something deeper — a safe space carved out by and for South Asians in Australia, amid a growing tide of online and political hostility directed toward migrant communities.
“It’s a space where [attendees] don’t feel strange or feel they stand out,” said Pradip Sarkar, one of the night’s DJs and a long-standing community radio host. Speaking to the ABC, Sarkar explained the importance of such events for South Asian Australians and international students who often feel out of place in the mainstream.
In recent months, anti-Indian sentiment has been festering online, particularly across platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter). Decontextualised videos portraying migrants — especially South Asians — in a negative light are being shared widely, often originating in the United States and Canada before making their way to Australia. According to ABC News journalist Jeremy Story Carter, these clips frequently stoke xenophobia and fuel the misconception that migrants are “invading” Western societies.
In February, this online racism took a particularly high-profile turn. As reported by the Wall Street Journal, a member of Elon Musk’s DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency) taskforce resigned after racist posts targeting Indians surfaced, one of which encouraged followers to “normalise Indian hate.” Though the staffer was later reinstated with the backing of U.S. Vice President JD Vance, the message to Indian communities around the world was loud and clear: racism is increasingly being legitimised.
Australia has not been immune. During the recent Australia-India Test Cricket series, some fans at the MCG were recorded chanting “Where’s your visa?” — a video that quickly went viral. Another clip showing Melbourne’s Flinders Street Station accompanied by the caption “Mumbai or Melbourne?” attracted millions of views. These seemingly casual jabs are part of what Sarkar refers to as “algorithmic racism” — discriminatory content amplified by social media algorithms, reinforcing harmful stereotypes.
Academic and community voices have raised concerns about the effect this has on Indian-Australians. Dr Sukhmani Khorana, an associate professor at UNSW who has studied the Indian diaspora for over a decade, describes this phenomenon as a new wave of racism born out of digital spaces. “There’s a particular type of racism… directed broadly at international students, but sometimes more specifically at Indian-Australians,” she told the ABC.
This backdrop of cultural tension comes amid a heated federal election campaign in which immigration has emerged as a focal issue. Opposition Leader Peter Dutton blamed migrants for Australia’s housing crisis during the first leadership debate. “If we ask why we’ve got a housing crisis, we can point to [migration],” Dutton said, reinforcing a narrative that directly targets migrant communities.
Such assertions, however, have been debunked by housing and policy experts. Dr Surjeet Dogra Dhanji, a fellow at the University of Melbourne, labelled the idea that migrants are to blame for the housing shortage “a joke.” Speaking to the ABC, she argued that housing stress in Australia has been decades in the making due to underinvestment by successive governments.
Moreover, Dr Dogra Dhanji highlighted the contradiction in political rhetoric during election season. “They rush to the temples, the mosques, the community centres — it is tokenism come the elections,” she said. “You malign me or scapegoat me and then at the same time you want my vote?”
Indeed, the Indian diaspora — now Australia’s fastest-growing migrant community — has become a political football. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), Indians represent the largest group among permanent migrants in Australia. Yet despite making up just 4% of the population, Indian-Australians often find themselves at the centre of national debates on immigration and integration.
A recent study led by Dr Dogra Dhanji titled Victorians’ Perceptions on India and the Indian Diaspora, commissioned by the Australia India Institute, found that while 51% of Victorians viewed the Indian community positively, there remains a notable perception gap among Australians without tertiary education — just 38% held positive views.
“The perception that the Indian diaspora is taking over Australia or Victoria or Melbourne is totally incorrect,” Dr Dogra Dhanji said. But such misconceptions are easily fuelled by media headlines, political scapegoating, and unchecked social media narratives.
Language, she emphasised, plays a critical role. When leaders frame migrants as a “burden” or “problem,” they not only dehumanise communities, but also embolden those already inclined toward racist thinking.
Despite the challenges, many in the Indian-Australian community are refusing to retreat into the margins. Instead, they are creating vibrant cultural spaces that affirm their identities and promote inclusivity.
Back at Laundry Bar in Fitzroy, Sarkar said the night was reminiscent of earlier migrant communities finding their own spaces in a sometimes-hostile society. “I have friends from the Italian community and a lot of them said back in the 1980s they would have Italian clubs… because they felt they could express and be themselves.”
The South Indian dance night is more than just entertainment. For Sarkar and others, it’s a form of cultural assertion, a declaration that Indian-Australians are not just “tolerated” members of society but active contributors to its vibrancy.
Similarly, venue manager Jade Trombley sees the club’s embrace of diverse events not only as inclusive policy but good business sense. In a multicultural city like Melbourne, these events reflect the reality of a community that is broad, youthful, and eager to celebrate its identity.
Professor Khorana notes that despite common misconceptions, migrants don’t vote solely based on ethnic or religious identity. “Most research has shown that ethnicity, race or religion only becomes a salient feature when that community is slighted in a particular way,” she said.
In this light, recent political scapegoating may not only be offensive but politically short-sighted. Migrants, like all Australians, are concerned with cost-of-living, employment, and housing affordability — universal issues that transcend identity.
As Australia continues to grapple with its migration narrative, the voices of Indian-Australians — particularly younger generations — are asserting themselves more powerfully than ever. Whether through radio, dance floors, or the ballot box, the community is making it clear: they’re not going anywhere, and they refuse to be defined by prejudice.
________

Sources
• Story and photos by Jeremy Story Carter, ABC News. “As the migration debate heats up, Indian diaspora carries weight of online racism.” Published July 2025.
• Dr Surjeet Dogra Dhanji and the Australia India Institute, “Victorians’ Perceptions on India and the Indian Diaspora,” 2024.
• Wall Street Journal, reporting on Elon Musk’s DOGE taskforce staffer controversy.
• Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), migration data, 2024.
• Interview content from Dr Sukhmani Khorana, UNSW.
Note: This article was prepared with full credit to ABC News and original reporting by Jeremy Story Carter.

The power of education

Nelson Mandela said education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world. Life Global Australia was founded largely because Chairperson Dr Dipti McGowan witnessed that weapon in use.
Dr McGowan’s family was originally from Gujarat and, on a visit to her family’s ancestral village, she saw the effects of the transformation of a school by Project Life. At this school, the children had been getting a part-time education as there were not enough classrooms, so lessons were conducted in shifts. Temperatures in summer were 40 degrees and more, and rain came into the rooms during monsoons. This situation was not unusual in a region devastated by an earthquake in 2000.

Dr McGowan’s father decided to donate the funds necessary for Project Life to build a new school in Mulchand. A year later, Dr McGowan attended the opening that led to LifeGA’s foundation, and its ongoing partnership with Project Life.
“I was extremely impressed by the big picture view with which Project Life approached its work. It is always looking to improve lives by giving people autonomy and creating lasting change,” Dr McGowan said.

Education is one of the basic rights of every child, according to the United Nations. The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child recognises that education can mean lifting a vulnerable child and their family out of poverty. UNICEF states that for many children around the world, going to school can be the only opportunity to receive nutritious food and clean water, or a young girl’s only chance to break down gender barriers.

Dr McGowan saw that school buildings often did not meet the needs of the students.
“The lack of separate toilets for girls, for example, meant that they did not attend school consistently, and young girls were being withdrawn to help with working on farms and at home.”

Dr McGowan was particularly aware of this issue as her own mother was withdrawn from school after completing Grade 3 to help at home with younger siblings. Consequently, she made it a priority to ensure the education of her daughter, giving Dr McGowan the opportunity to carve out a successful career based on her studies, and experience firsthand the benefit education can bring to an individual, family, extended family and community.

The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child particularly stipulates the encouragement of regular attendance at schools and the reduction of drop-out rates.
Amisha was a student at Mulchand when Dr McGowan attended the opening ceremony. Her life changed when the new school was built.

“We suffered severely with dark and unlit classrooms, especially in monsoon with water everywhere,” Amisha said.

The new school was constructed as a modern facility with spacious, naturally lit, well-ventilated classrooms. Mulchand is now a “Smart School” in which technology is embedded in the curriculum and pedagogy, thus increasing communication, student engagement, and learning outcomes. As a result, the school has been able to educate thousands of students from poor families.

Amisha is now studying for a degree in Commerce, and is confident her education at Mulchand will ensure her family’s financial security.

“I knew we needed to encourage young children to remain in education by providing a good environment for study,” Dr McGowan said. “They then have a chance to explore and prosper, and both students and the community can develop.”

Dr McGowan has now attended the opening of several schools, and has spoken to staff about the effect of school transformations on their working lives. They told her that with safe, solid school rooms and buildings, schooling is no longer interrupted by weather.
“We can now actually complete the curriculum,” one teacher said. “We can focus on teaching, and pedagogy, what we all got into teaching to do. We can also run clubs and extracurricular activities with the donors providing sports and music equipment. In essence, we can practise our craft, do curriculum differentiation and help students reach their potential, whether it is in academics, sports or the arts.”

By 2023, Project Life had rebuilt 108 schools. The schools won international excellence grants for rural and regional schools in developing countries such as India.
LifeGA is proud of its success in supporting women’s empowerment (see https://www.gofundme.com/f/international-womens-day-25-empower-women-today) and health programmes in India, but bolstering primary education in rural communities is probably the most ambitious project.

“LifeGA aims to build five state-of-the-art schools in some of the poorest areas of India, and has already received donations to support that goal,” Dr McGowan said.

LifeGA wants to use the powerful weapon of education to support, sustain and enrich people’s lives.
www.lifeglobal.org.au

Brisbane Comes Alive with Colours and Culture at Basava Jayanthi 2025

Brisbane, Australia – 23 May 2025: The vibrant multicultural city of Brisbane witnessed a heartwarming celebration of Basava Jayanthi 2025, hosted by Basava Samiti of Asia Pacific (BSAPAC). The annual event commemorates the birth anniversary of Guru Basava, the 12th-century social reformer and spiritual visionary who pioneered inclusive social practices and ethical living, centuries ahead of his time.

Held at a packed venue in Coopers Plains, the celebration showcased a spectacular blend of devotion, knowledge, and community spirit. It was a multicultural confluence of the community dressed in traditional attire, children and adults alike participated in a lively procession of Vachana recitations, songs, and interactive discussions—highlighting the adoption of Guru Basava’s values that centre on equality, compassion, and rational thought.

The program opened by lighting the lamp followed by the key note address was delivered by Mrs Karen Lay-Brew, the Board Member of Energy Queensland, Strategic Advisor to Australian Government. Karen migrated with family at the age of 11 from Mynamar provided an inspiring speech of the hardships of migrants and their journey to success, happiness and peace while navigating through the value system of life. Her speech was inspirational and touched the hearts of young and old.

Mrs. Margie Nightingale, Member of Inala, graced the audience and was impressed to see the community unity threaded with the values. Her encouraging best wishes meant to a lot to the growing community and the charity.

The key highlight of the discussion was the interactive introspection from the audience representing different ethnicities in the community namely, Sri Lanka, multi cultural diaspora of India, Pakistan, Iran, Burma, local Australians sharing their journey of life and the adoption of values. The Distinguished speakers, including local leaders and community scholars, praised BSAPAC’s commitment to Engage, Educate, Empower, and Enlighten across the Asia Pacific. / Guru Basava vegetarian, non-alcoholic community meal (Anna Dasoha), symbolising Basava’s vision of social equality through shared values.

The event also honored young children for their beautiful singing from the Sargam Academy of Music. We thank Mr. Mithun Chakraborthy and Mrs. Bonita Chakraborthy for presenting the wonderful music to the audience. Mr. Linden May, Ex-Board Director of the Charity awarded all the children with the medals for their fantastic participation.

Other notable programs included the Australian national anthem via the violin, presentation of the Guru Basava Dashboard Idol – a spiritually uplifting artefact designed for the car, symbolising values of truth, work, and devotion, ideal for daily travel inspiration by the 12 year old Master Hanish Banavar. BSAPAC will promote these dashboard idols that can be used in the cars via their shopping carts.

Mrs. Soniya Sharma, from the ANZ Bank Mt Ommaney also spoke to the team regarding the offering of the Home Loan Introductory Program.

Other notable organisers were Mrs. Girija Karekal, Executive Director; Mr. Stephen Hodgson, CEO, Mrs. Nivedita H E lead coordinator of Brisbane Chapter. BSAPAC offers gratitude for all the volunteers and children who made this an intimate evening and strengthened the values through multicultural confluence. “Guru Basava’s message is more relevant today than ever. His vision of a just society is what drives our charity’s work in over eight locations across Australia and New Zealand.”

Basava Jayanthi 2025 in Brisbane stood not only as a celebration of history but also a call to action for unity, service, and purposeful living in our contemporary world.
Learn more at https://basavasamitiapac.org
Follow us: #BasavaJayanthi #BSAPAC #GuruBasava #STEMWithValues #EngageEducate
EmpowerEnlighten

The 2025 GOPIO Gold Coast Annual Gala Dinner

The 2025 GOPIO Gold Coast Annual Gala Dinner was held with great success, bringing together community members, leaders, and supporters for an evening of celebration, culture, and connection. The event was marked by vibrant music, delicious food, and a warm atmosphere that truly reflected the spirit of unity and multiculturalism.

The musical performances throughout the evening created a lively and engaging ambiance, with guests taking to the dance floor and enjoying every moment.
The night was filled with friendship, and inspiring conversations, as attendees from all walks of life came together to support the ongoing work of GOPIO Gold Coast in community engagement, advocacy, and cultural promotion.

We would like to thank the Guest of Honor, Queensland Shadow Minister for Multicultural Affairs and Public Works, MP Charis Mullen and Experience Gold Coast Director of Education Jennine Tax

We extend our heartfelt thanks to our generous sponsors, whose support made this evening possible. Platinum Sponsors (Nextweb & ACE One). Your commitment to our vision and continued partnership is deeply valued.

Silver Sponsors, (Mortgage Assistance, Business 2 Sell, Global Grocery & Spices and MP Angie Bell. Thank you for your vital contribution and encouragement of our efforts.
Your support enables us to host events like this that strengthen our community bonds and help us continue to make a positive impact.

We look forward to welcoming everyone again to our future events and extend our gratitude to all those who joined us to making this Gala Dinner a memorable occasion.
GOPIO Gold Coast was represented by Pradip Gorasia (President), Mokhtiar Singh (Vice President and Gala Dinner Coordinator), Preetham Krishna ( 2nd Vice-President), Madhuri Soni (Secretary), Paddy Krishnan (Joint Secretary), Jessy Kaurah(Treasurer), and Varsha Badhe (Asst. Treasurer)

Dreamscape 2025: A Legendary Celebration of India’s Independence Day in Brisbane

Brisbane, QLD – August 16, 2025: In a spectacular tribute to India’s Independence Day, the Queensland Kannadigas Cultural & Sports Society Inc. is proud to present Dreamscape – an unforgettable evening of music, culture, and unity on Saturday, 16 August 2025 at the Life Centre Auditorium, Salisbury, Brisbane.

Themed “Let’s Celebrate India’s Independence Day with Legends”, this event promises to enthral the audience with world-class performances by legendary artists, including Stephen Devassy, the internationally acclaimed keyboard maestro, and Rajesh Vaidhya, the virtuoso veena player known for his electrifying stage presence. They will be joined by an ensemble of talented musicians—Prithvi (bass guitar), Kuberan (drums), and Praveen (tabla)—bringing together classical roots and contemporary rhythms in a musical fusion unlike any other.

With doors opening at 5:30 PM for a 6:00 PM start, Dreamscape is not just a concert—it is a celebration of cultural pride, freedom, and artistic brilliance. It is expected to draw hundreds from across Queensland’s vibrant Indian and multicultural communities.

Organized by the Queensland Kannadigas Cultural & Sports Society Inc., the event highlights the organization’s continued commitment to promoting Indian arts and heritage in Australia, creating bridges of cultural exchange, and honouring the spirit of independence and unity.

Event Details:
• Date: Saturday, 16 August 2025
• Time: 5:30 PM (for 6:00 PM start)
• Venue: Life Centre Auditorium, 63 Fairlie Terrace, Salisbury QLD 4107
For ticketing, sponsorship, and more information, please contact:
• Preetham Krishna: 0402 537 209

Don’t miss this legendary celebration of music, freedom, and cultural pride. Join us for Dreamscape 2025!

GOPIO Gold Coast Yoga Event 2025

The GOPIO Gold Coast celebrated the 2025 International Day of Yoga on the 14th of June. The theme for the 2025 International Day of Yoga is “Yoga for One Earth, One Health”. In keeping with this theme, GOPIO-GC hosted four different styles of Yoga practices.

Ranjitha Shenoy, who runs the Yoga and Wellness by Ranju school, started off with classical Hatha Yoga. Her gentle and yet effective Asanas helped everyone stretch their bodies gently on a cold morning. This was followed by Shekher Arya’s session on SOMA Breathwork. Shekher, who runs Amavi retreats, focused on a specific form of Pranayama to create a sense of happiness. The third session was conducted by Leela Avva and Aoi Okoch from the Heartfulness Institute. They focused on chair yoga, which helped those who were not comfortable sitting on the floor for too long, and silent deep meditation.

This session helped people relax their mind and body at their own pace. The final session was conducted by Sharma Slavic who runs various sound-based healing events in South East Queensland. Her use of the crystal sound bowls and the harp, further calmed everyone.

There were close to 50 participants all of whom found the sessions very engaging. The entire program lasted close to two hours although it felt that it was over in a jiffy. GOPIO-GC thanks all the instructors and the participants for making the event a great success. The event was supported by the Consul General of India, Brisbane and Experience Gold Coast.
Thanks to our presenters and supporters.

GOPIO Gold Coast was represented by Pradip Gorasia (President), Preetham Krishna (2nd Vice-President), Paddy Krishnan (Joint Secretary and Coordinator of the event), Madhuri Soni (Secretary) and Varsha Badhe (Asst. Treasurer)