Indian Australians are expressing growing concern over anti-immigration rhetoric, particularly in light of recent rallies that many believe propagate a divisive agenda. Amit Sarwal, co-founder of The Australia Today, pointed out the dangerous impact of this kind of rhetoric. He highlighted how detrimental it is to community unity. Sarwal, wearing a bright blue suit jacket over a pistachio-colored jumper and white shirt, spoke enthusiastically. As he reminded us during his address, with a library standing in the background, a civil discourse is vital to our democracy.
The anger of the Indian Australian Community has grown as they’ve been forced to traverse an eye widening and awfully polarized Australian political scene. Sarwal urged Senator Nampijinpa Price to make a genuine apology to the Indian community. Increasingly, he argues, this group has been unjustly singled out under the banner of increasing anti-immigrant zeal.
Voices from the Community
Nisha Khot is an Australian permanent resident originally from India. As president-elect of the Royal Australian New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, she is well-placed to articulate and indeed share Sarwal’s concerns. Khot said, “What people really value…is the work that I’m doing,” noting her dedication to the Australian community. She brought to life the emotional burden that discrimination takes. “It is what comes from people I don’t know, people who don’t know me, that especially makes me wonder if I belong at all,” she shared. “And that is what hurts.”
Khot went on to underscore the depths of hurt that lay on the surface of the community. “So, community members are hurting because of the spotlight that is on this issue,” she explained. Her reflections should ring true for all those who have felt the tension and fear that come with being a target of public attention.
These are the words of Pooja Vrat Gupta who immigrated to Australia some six years back, commenting on the impact that Indian Australians have had in their adopted land. She stated, “Australia would not be the same without the support of Indians and other migrant communities,” reinforcing the idea that diversity enriches the nation.
Impact of Discrimination
James O’Donnell, co-author of Melbourne’s Scanlon Foundation social cohesion and prejudice survey shared his wisdom. He drilled down on the psychological impact of discrimination on immigrants. He added that cumulative experiences of discrimination have detrimental effects on personal sense of belonging over the years. “One of the strongest predictors that we see of someone who’s born overseas coming to Australia … of their sense of belonging, especially over time, is whether they’ve experienced discrimination,” O’Donnell remarked.
He elaborated on how everyday instances of casual othering—such as constant inquiries about one’s origins—can contribute to feelings of alienation. “Often, it’s the sort of more everyday casual othering that goes on for many people who come to Australia,” he observed. O’Donnell’s research found that victims of discrimination are less likely to perceive a sense of belonging to Australian society.
Call for Unity
Recognizing these obstacles, faith leaders, teachers, families and other community leaders have called for calm, discussion and peace among law enforcement and activists. Nadeem Ahmed emphasized the importance of constructive political discourse: “All Indian Australians, regardless of background or belief, we should choose dialogue over division and keep our political views very constructive and focus on unity.” He added that appreciation for Australia’s opportunities is crucial: “At the same time, we all need to embrace Australia for what it has given us. It is a beautiful country.”
One surgeon, who asked to remain anonymous, recorded the realities of life inside a stressed medical system. They amplified the message that immigrants are making an essential impact in critical industries such as healthcare. Unfortunately, on the same day as the anti-immigration rally, I spent 20 hours protecting the lives of white patients. My dedication to serving the public kept me working long hours. Throughout, they remembered, displaying their commitment to service in defense of humanity beyond race. Every manager on my team was an immigrant from a different country, they further noted.
The surgeon pointed out that discrimination transcends mere skin color: “Discrimination is not always about skin colour — it is about being made to feel like an outsider, no matter how much you give.” This sentiment is reflected across the Indian Australian community, as members struggle to figure out where they stand as violence continues to spread.
