Anti-Immigration Protests in Australia Target Indian Community Amid Economic Tensions
Sydney, September 4, 2025 — Australia, long celebrated as a multicultural success story, is grappling with a surge in anti-immigration sentiment as thousands of protesters, rallied under the banner of “March for Australia,” took to the streets across major cities on August 31, 2025, demanding an end to “mass migration.” The protests, which singled out Australia’s rapidly growing Indian community, have sparked widespread condemnation from the government, Indian diaspora leaders, and counter-protesters, who warn of rising far-right extremism and threats to social cohesion. Organizers claim immigration, particularly from India, is straining jobs, housing, and public services, while critics argue the protests are fueled by xenophobia and misinformation, exacerbating fear among Indian migrants ahead of a politically charged election year.
The March for Australia Protests
On August 31, 2025, an estimated 5,000 to 8,000 protesters gathered in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Canberra, Adelaide, Perth, and other cities, waving Australian flags and chanting slogans like “Save the nation, stop the invasion” and “Give our nation back.” Organized by the group March for Australia, the rallies called for a dramatic reduction in immigration, with promotional materials specifically targeting Indian migrants. Flyers claimed that “more Indians have migrated to Australia since 2020 than Greeks and Italians in 100 years,” labeling the influx a “replacement” of Australian culture.
In Sydney, protesters marched from Belmore Park to Victoria Park, with some holding signs reading “White unity at every opportunity.” In Melbourne, tensions escalated as anti-immigration protesters clashed with pro-Palestine and anti-fascist counter-demonstrators near Flinders Street Station, prompting police to deploy pepper spray, baton rounds, and riot squads to separate the groups. At least six arrests were made in Melbourne, with charges including assault and wearing disguises. In Adelaide, an estimated 15,000 attended both the rally and counter-protests, which remained largely peaceful.
The protests drew controversial figures, including Thomas Sewell, leader of the neo-Nazi National Socialist Network (NSN), who addressed the Melbourne rally from the steps of Parliament House, claiming immigration would lead to “our death.” Organizers distanced themselves from Sewell, stating he was not invited, but his presence, alongside One Nation senator Pauline Hanson and MP Bob Katter in Canberra and Queensland, fueled accusations of far-right involvement.
Why Target the Indian Community?
The Indian diaspora, now Australia’s second-largest migrant group after those born in the UK, has been a focal point of the protests. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, as of June 2023, approximately 840,000 Indian-born residents lived in Australia, comprising 3.2% of the population. The community has grown rapidly since 2000, driven by skilled migration and student visas, with numbers doubling from 2013 to 2023 to reach 976,000, including those of Indian ancestry.
March for Australia’s flyers argued that Indian immigration since 2020 outpaces historical Greek and Italian migration, framing it as a threat to jobs, housing, and cultural identity. Protesters like Glenn Allchin in Sydney voiced concerns about public services, stating, “Our country is bursting at the seams… our kids are struggling to get homes, our hospitals have seven-hour waits.”
However, experts refute these claims as misleading. Demographer Peter McDonald from the Australian National University told SBS News that comparing recent Indian arrivals to historical data is flawed, as migration records before 1945 are incomplete, and Indian arrivals are proportionate to population growth. Liz Allen, another demographer, attributed anti-immigration sentiment to domestic crises like housing affordability and economic insecurity, compounded by a “fear of the other.” A 2025 Lowy Institute poll found 53% of Australians believe migration levels are “too high,” up from 38% in 2024, reflecting growing unease amid a cost-of-living crisis.
Indian Community’s Response and Safety Concerns
The Indian diaspora, particularly in Queensland and Victoria, expressed fear and frustration ahead of the protests. Indian influencers like Mandeep Singh, with over 30,000 Instagram followers, urged migrants to “stay inside” on August 31 for safety, warning that slogans like “take our country back” send a “dangerous anti-immigration message.” Yash Mittra, another influencer with 127,000 followers, posted in Hindi on Instagram, advising Indian workers to avoid public spaces. An Uber driver in Melbourne told SBS Punjabi, “I work more on weekends, so I don’t know what’s going to happen. It’s scary.”
Amar Singh, awarded the 2023 Australian Local Hero, voiced concerns about heightened tensions, noting that immigrants like himself “pay taxes and keep the country running.” He warned that the protests could make migrants feel like outsiders. In Brisbane, Indian business owner Neha Arora reported staff requesting the day off due to fears of violence, reflecting a broader climate of anxiety.
A particularly contentious moment occurred at a Sydney rally, where an Indian-origin man attempted to speak, saying, “I’m a brown man… but I came here for the right reason. This is not immigration; it’s an open-door policy.” He was booed and pushed off stage, highlighting tensions even among some migrants who align with anti-immigration sentiments.
Government and Counter-Protesters Respond
The Australian government, led by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, condemned the protests as divisive and linked to far-right extremism. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke stated, “There is no place in our country for people who seek to undermine social cohesion. Nothing could be less Australian.” Multicultural Affairs Minister Anne Aly emphasized that “all Australians, no matter their heritage, deserve to feel safe and welcome.” The government pointed to Australia’s multicultural identity, noting that nearly half the population is either born overseas or has a parent born overseas.
Counter-protests, organized by groups like the Refugee Action Coalition, drew hundreds in Sydney and Perth, with chants like “Nazi scum off our streets.” In Melbourne, Indigenous activists at Camp Sovereignty reported an attack by a group of men, including NSN members, who injured four people, including a woman hospitalized. Victorian senator Lidia Thorpe called the assault a “coordinated Nazi attack” and demanded it be investigated as a hate crime.
Opposition leaders, including Shadow Attorney-General Julian Leeser, expressed concern about the protests’ anti-Indian and antisemitic undertones, urging attendees to “be careful of the company you keep.” However, the presence of politicians like Hanson and Katter at the rallies complicated the opposition’s stance.
Economic and Cultural Contributions of Indian Migrants
Critics of the protests highlight the Indian community’s significant contributions to Australia. Indian migrants, nearly three times as likely to hold a bachelor’s degree or higher, fill critical roles in healthcare, IT, and engineering. International students, many from India, contribute $40 billion annually to the economy, sustaining universities. Mandeep Singh noted, “If every immigrant took a day off, Australia would see how important we are to its economy.”
Culturally, Indian-Australians like Divya Saxena, a Sydney-based dancer, are working to mainstream Indian classical arts, while restaurateurs and creatives enrich Australia’s multicultural fabric. A 2023 BBC report noted that Indian migration, driven by demand for skilled workers, has transformed cities like Sydney, where Indian businesses and cultural festivals thrive.
Misinformation and Far-Right Influence
The protests have been linked to far-right groups like the NSN, whose leader, Thomas Sewell, has a history of anti-immigrant rhetoric. Posts on X by users like @JarrodHamptonX, a self-described white nationalist, celebrated the rallies as a push for a “WHITE NATION,” while @ElijahSchaffer claimed the government is “replacing the white population” with Indian and Asian migrants. These narratives echo the “great replacement” conspiracy theory, linked to violent attacks like the 2019 Christchurch mosque shootings.
Demographer Liz Allen told SBS News that claims about migrants stealing jobs or inflating house prices are rooted in misinformation. Indian students, for instance, often leave after their studies, and their economic contributions outweigh their impact on resources. A 2023 Ipsos survey found 34% of Australians believe immigration should stop, lower than the global average of 43%, suggesting a nuanced public view.
Historical Context: A Recurring Tension
Australia has faced similar anti-immigrant sentiments before. In 2009, violent attacks on Indian students in Melbourne sparked protests and strained India-Australia relations, threatening the $15 billion international education sector. The 2005 Cronulla race riots, pitting Anglo-Australians against Middle Eastern youths, exposed deep racial divides. Experts like Sukhmani Khorana from Western Sydney University note that Indian-Australians have long faced “subtle racism,” from workplace discrimination to public slurs, despite their integration.
Political and Social Implications
The protests come amid economic pressures, with housing costs rising 22% since 2020 and unemployment at 4.2% in 2025, per ABS data. The Albanese government has slowed international student visas to 270,000 in 2025, responding to concerns about resource strain, but critics argue this fuels anti-immigrant narratives
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