The alleged racially motivated attack on 23-year-old Indian student Charanpreet Singh in central Adelaide has sent shockwaves through Australia’s Indian diaspora and reignited calls for stronger protections for international students.
Singh, who had gone out with his wife on Saturday, July 19, was brutally assaulted by a group of five men near Kintore Avenue, moments after parking his car. Eyewitnesses described the attack as unprovoked and violent, with the assailants reportedly using metal knuckles or sharp objects. The attackers hurled racial slurs, yelling “F** off, Indian”*, before beating Singh unconscious and fleeing the scene.
He suffered severe brain trauma and multiple facial fractures, and remains hospitalised. Speaking to 9News from his hospital bed, Singh said what began as a minor dispute over parking quickly escalated into a hate crime.
“They just said, ‘F*** off, Indian,’ and after that they just started punching,” he said.
Arrest and Ongoing Investigation
Police arrested a 20-year-old man from Enfield the following day, but four suspects remain at large. Authorities are reviewing CCTV footage and have appealed for public assistance in identifying the other attackers.
Public Outrage and Official Response
The incident has triggered outrage across Adelaide, particularly among the Indian community, with social media flooded with messages of support for Singh and demands for justice.
South Australia Premier Peter Malinauskas strongly condemned the attack, stating:
“Any time we see any evidence of any racial attack, it is completely unwelcome in our state and just not consistent with where the majority of our community are at.”
Calls are now intensifying for:
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Enhanced safety measures for international students
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Faster legal action in hate crime cases
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Stronger community-police engagement to reassure immigrant communities
Broader Context
This incident has revived painful memories of past attacks on Indian students in Australia, especially during 2009–2010, when a string of violent assaults led to diplomatic strain between New Delhi and Canberra. While Australia has since improved its reputation as a safe destination for foreign students, incidents like this expose lingering vulnerabilities.
The Indian High Commission in Canberra is yet to issue a formal statement, but Indian diaspora groups have urged both state and federal governments to treat the incident with the utmost seriousness.
For now, Charanpreet Singh’s recovery and the search for the remaining attackers will likely remain in focus—not just in Australia, but across India and the broader international student community.
