Adelaide, July 23, 2025: An Indian student was allegedly brutally assaulted and racially abused by a group of unidentified men in South Australia’s Adelaide last Saturday, in what is being described as a racially motivated hate crime. The incident has sparked widespread outrage among the Indian community and raised fresh concerns about the safety of international students in Australia.
The victim, Charanpreet Singh, was attacked near Kintore Avenue around 9:22 p.m. while he was out with his wife to view the city’s light displays. The Australia Today and multiple global media outlets reported that the assault was unprovoked and accompanied by racist slurs.
“They Just Started Punching”
In a statement to 9News, Singh recounted the horrifying ordeal:
“They just said, ‘f— off, Indian,’ and after that they just started punching.”
“I tried to fight back, but they beat me until I was unconscious,” he added.
Footage from the scene shows five attackers using metal knuckles or sharp objects, repeatedly punching and kicking Singh on his face and stomach, even as a woman — believed to be his wife — screamed for help and tried to intervene. The men fled the scene in a vehicle, leaving Singh unconscious on the ground.
Severe Injuries and Hospitalisation
Emergency services rushed Singh to Royal Adelaide Hospital, where he was treated for brain trauma and multiple facial fractures. Doctors say he suffered serious injuries, including possible long-term neurological damage.
Police Investigation and Arrest
According to South Australia Police, a 20-year-old man from Enfield has been arrested and charged with assault causing harm. Authorities confirmed that CCTV footage is being reviewed, and efforts are ongoing to identify and apprehend the remaining assailants.
“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 police spokesperson told The Indian Sun.
Police have appealed to the public for any information that could help track down the other perpetrators.
Community Outrage and Political Reaction
The attack has triggered an outpouring of anger and concern among Adelaide’s Indian and international student communities. Several advocacy groups have demanded stronger protections for immigrants and called on authorities to treat the incident as a hate crime.
Charanpreet Singh’s emotional response has resonated widely online:
“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.”
South Australia’s Premier, Peter Malinauskas, strongly condemned the incident:
“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.”
The Indian High Commission in Canberra is reported to be closely monitoring the situation and may issue a formal statement soon.
Growing Concern for Student Safety
This incident adds to a growing list of attacks against international students in Australia, many of whom come from India. Advocates are now calling for increased community policing, cultural sensitivity programs, and stricter penalties for racially motivated violence.
Online, hashtags such as #JusticeForCharanpreet, #StopRacism, and #AdelaideAttack are trending, with users demanding that authorities take swift and decisive action.
As of now, Charanpreet Singh remains under medical observation and is said to be recovering slowly. His family and community have urged calm but stressed the importance of justice being served.
