Melbourne, April 11 —The Indian Consulate in Melbourne was vandalised in the early hours of Thursday, prompting the Indian High Commission in Canberra to raise the matter with Australian authorities. Graffiti was found defacing the front entrance of the diplomatic premises around 1 am, according to Victoria Police.
“Officers believe the front entry of the building was graffitied overnight, sometime between Wednesday and Thursday. An investigation into the damage remains ongoing,” a police spokesperson said, urging anyone with information to come forward.
This is not the first time the Consulate has been targeted. Similar incidents have occurred in the past, particularly during periods of heightened geopolitical tension, The Australia Today reported.
“The incident of defacing at the premises of the Consulate General of India in Melbourne by miscreants has been raised with Australian authorities,” the Indian High Commission said in a post on X. “All necessary steps are being taken to ensure the safety and security of Indian diplomatic and consular premises and personnel in the country.”
The act has reignited concern within the Indian-Australian community, with many viewing it as part of a broader pattern of targeted attacks on Indian institutions and Hindu places of worship in Melbourne.
“It’s not just graffiti — it’s a message of intimidation aimed at our community,” said a member of the Indian-Australian diaspora. “Repeated attacks on places of religious and cultural significance are deeply distressing.”
Victoria Premier Jacinta Allan’s government recently introduced anti-vilification laws aimed at curbing hate-motivated crimes. However, community members continue to voice frustration over what they perceive as delayed responses and inconsistent enforcement by authorities.
“This is not about politics. It’s about safety, respect, and equal protection under the law,” the outlet quoted a community member as saying.
