An Indian student, Charanpreet Singh, was allegedly assaulted and subjected to racial abuse during a violent attack near Kintore Avenue in Adelaide, South Australia, last Saturday evening. The incident occurred around 9:22 pm when Singh was out with his wife to view the city’s light displays.
According to The Australia Today, a group of unidentified men approached Singh during a car parking dispute, hurled racial slurs, and physically attacked him. “They just said ‘f— off, Indian’, and after that they just started punching,” Singh was quoted as saying by 9News. “I tried to fight back, but they beat me until I was unconscious,” he added.
Singh, still recovering from the trauma, said, “Things like this, when they happen, it makes you feel like you should go back. You can change anything in your body, but you can’t change the colours.”
Police Launch Probe, One Arrest Made
Videos circulating online show five men attacking Singh, reportedly using metal knuckles or sharp objects. The footage captures them punching him in the face and stomach, and kicking him repeatedly, as a woman tries in vain to stop the assault. The attackers later fled the scene, leaving Singh unconscious.
Emergency services rushed to the location and transported Singh to the Royal Adelaide Hospital. He was treated for multiple facial fractures and brain trauma.
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South Australia Police confirmed that a 20-year-old man from Enfield has been arrested and charged with assault causing harm. “When the police arrived, they found the victim on the floor with facial injuries. He was taken to hospital for treatment. Investigations are continuing,” a spokesperson was quoted as saying. CCTV footage is currently being reviewed to identify the remaining suspects.
Community Outrage and Official Response
The assault has sparked widespread condemnation and raised fresh concerns about the safety of Indian students and immigrants in Australia. Members of Adelaide’s Indian community have expressed their anger online, calling for stringent measures against racially motivated violence.
South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas condemned the incident, 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.”
