Brutal Attacks Spark Global Alarm
Two separate, violent attacks on Indian nationals on July 19—one in Dublin, Ireland, and the other in Adelaide, Australia—have reignited concerns over the rising trend of assaults on Indians abroad. These incidents, though occurring continents apart, share a grim commonality: racially motivated violence, targeting Indians simply for their identity.
While the Indian diaspora continues to grow globally, so do the risks faced by its members. For students, professionals, and workers abroad, these incidents underscore a growing and disturbing reality — being Indian in a foreign land can now come with unforeseen dangers.
The Dublin Assault: Misinformation, Mob Violence, and Trauma
In Tallaght, a suburb of Dublin, a recently arrived Indian tech worker was brutally attacked, robbed, and humiliated. The married father, who had just moved to Ireland weeks prior for a new job, was en route to a Hindu temple when a group of teenagers falsely accused him of inappropriate behavior near children — a baseless claim that rapidly spread online through far-right and anti-immigrant channels.
Despite confirmation from Irish police that the allegations were unfounded, the man was struck on the head, stripped of his clothes, and left bleeding in the streets. Local resident Jennifer Murray discovered him in a dazed and injured state and stayed with him until emergency help arrived.
This was not an isolated incident. Another Indian student, residing with local businessman Vikram Jain, was similarly attacked by a gang in the same region, suffering a broken nose and severe bruises after being targeted in a park. The attackers hurled racial slurs and beat him without provocation.
Adelaide Ambush: Parking Dispute Turns into Racial Attack
On the same day, in Adelaide, Australia, 23-year-old Indian student Harshdeep Singh was ambushed by a group of five men after a dispute over parking. The men shouted racial abuse before viciously attacking him.
Singh sustained brain trauma and multiple facial fractures, requiring immediate hospitalization. South Australian police arrested one 20-year-old suspect, but the remaining attackers remain unidentified. The assault has shaken the Indian community in Adelaide, especially among international students, who now worry about their safety and visibility in public spaces.
This comes just two years after Shubham Garg, a PhD student in Sydney, was stabbed 11 times in what was described as a racially motivated knife attack.
The Alarming Trend: Rising Attacks on Indians Worldwide
These cases are not random. Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) data shows a disturbing rise in attacks on Indian students and expatriates globally:
· 91 attacks on Indian students recorded over the past five years
· 30 students have died as a result of such violence
· 2024 alone saw 40 violent attacks, a sharp rise from 28 in 2023 and only 4 in 2022
Country-wise Breakdown (Student Attacks in the Last 5 Years):
· Canada: 27 attacks (16 fatal)
· Russia: 15 incidents (no deaths)
· UK: 12 (1 fatal)
· Germany: 11 (1 fatal)
· USA: 9 (all fatal)
· Australia: 4 (1 fatal)
· Other countries: Include Ireland, China, the Philippines, Kyrgyzstan, Italy, and Iran
General Attacks on Indians Abroad (MEA 2023 Data):
· Total attacks: 86
· Top countries:
· US: 12
· UK: 10
· Saudi Arabia: 10
· Canada: 10
This marked a steep rise from 57 attacks in 2022 and 29 in 2021
An RTI by activist Dr. Vivek Pandey further revealed that 28,458 Indians died abroad over the past three years, including 136 due to violence or murder, some of which involved students.
The Bigger Picture: Why Is This Happening?
The reasons are complex. Experts cite rising xenophobia, far-right online propaganda, misinformation, and lack of local integration programs as key contributing factors. In economically uncertain times, migrant communities often become soft targets, and in some Western societies, misinformation-fueled hate crimes are on the rise.
Social media plays a powerful and often destructive role, as seen in the Dublin case where false accusations spread online led to real-world violence. In other places, daily altercations over parking, language, or community space are now escalating into racially charged attacks.
A Need for Stronger Protection and Policy
The recent attacks are a wake-up call — not just for the Indian government, but for host nations too. There is a pressing need for stronger diplomatic engagement, legal protections for migrants, and cross-cultural awareness.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs must proactively work with foreign governments to enhance student safety, improve emergency response networks for Indian nationals abroad, and ensure accountability when crimes occur. Host countries, in turn, must crack down on hate speech, misinformation, and racially motivated violence.
As the Indian diaspora continues to grow, ensuring their safety, dignity, and integration must become a shared international priority — before another tragedy unfolds.
(With agency inputs)
