As much as we want to pretend Australia is the hub of racial harmony and rainbows, the fact of the matter is not everyone shares this ideology.

I’m not saying that as you get off a plane from Delhi there’s mobs of Australians ready to bash the living daylights out of you, far from it.

Instead of treating the bashings and stabbings as random acts of violence though we need to accept that, for the time being, Indians are being targeted.



Why are Indians being targeted?

Indians are targeted for one simple reason: The passive stereotype.

You bash Muhammad Ahmed Muhammad and within 30 seconds 98 Holden Commodores will rockup and his cousins will chase you.

You bash some Sudanese guy and his housing commission gangster buddies will run after you.

You bash Tai Loc Nguyen and…. well he’s probably carrying a machete anyway so you’re off to hospital.

You bash an Indian and well nothing much happens. If it’s serious enough it’ll make the news. Some Indian student association nobody has ever heard of might make a press release but that’s about it really.

Indians don’t need to start forming vigilante groups or roaming the streets in packs but you do need to be aware of this stereotype and act accordingly.



Tips on avoiding getting bashed or stabbed in Australia:


1. Avoid the western suburbs

This is probably the biggest preventive measure you can take. Practically all the bashings and stabbings that take place occur in the western suburbs of Melbourne.

Sure it’s cheap and there’s probably other Indians around but they aren’t going to come to your rescue when some group of guys inexplicably decide to start laying their fists into you.

Western suburbs in Australia are by and large full of trash. We keep our uneducated poor bogans there and mix it up with large clusters of immigrants in public housing living off welfare.

The end result is a lot of uneducated poor people running around like Terry tough cunts with nothing better to do.

If anyone advises you to live out in the west tell them no. You’ll pay more to live in the nicer suburbs in the north and east but at least you won’t have to worry about being bashed all the time.

The good news is that, unless your going to university there then there’s absolutely no reason for you to even go near the western suburbs. Anything you could possibly need should be available in the safer suburbs and failing that there’s always the CBD.

Obviously Be a bit careful on Saturday nights though.


2. Don’t walk everywhere

This isn’t downtown Mumbai people. Sure walking is cheap but lone skinny Indian walking down the footpath in sandals is painting a giant big target on your head.

Worst comes to worst get a crappy cheap Kmart bike and just ride that around. For $100 or so it’s a pretty cheap investment and makes you less of a target.

If you do have to walk around though avoid parks and areas with no lighting. Also try to avoid areas where there’s no people. The western suburbs pretty much die off past 6 or 7pm and there’s good reason for this, it’s when all the crazies come out to play.


3. Shiny electronic things

In India having the latest Nokia might be a status symbol. In Australia nobody cares.

The only thing that goes through the minds of potential bashers when they see you with your mobile bling is ‘oh sweet, we get to bash Indians and make a bit of money! Man, BEST DAY EVER!’

If walking around then keep your flashy electronic gadgets in your bag or whatever. Unless you’re in a crowded public place, don’t answer any calls or messages either. Just let it be till you get home.

This goes for anything electronic.

If you’re watch is anything more then a metal sundial strapped to your wrist, take it off.

If you have an ipod for blasting curry hip hop you’re going to have to get used to the idea of travelling in silence. Even inconspicuous earphones have to be plugged into something.

Also not listening to music means you’ve got a better chance of hearing Bashy Mcbashbash sneak up on you before him and his mates lynch you.


It is sad that Indians (or any ethnic group) get targeted for bashings and stabbings. While people hypothesise whether or not attacks are racially motivated or not, in the here and now people need to be taking precautions.

Australia is a pretty easy place to live in, however in these modern times you just need to be a little more cautious and aware that over here some people are going to see Indians as easy bashing targets.

Your mates and the study recruiters over in India aren’t going to tell you this and neither is the Australian government… but it is what it is so you might as well be prepared and informed before coming to Australia.

Good luck.



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