The premises of the Consulate General of India in Melbourne were defaced in an act of vandalism in the early hours of Thursday, reigniting concerns within the Indian-Australian community about repeated attacks targeting their cultural and diplomatic spaces. According to a report by The Australia Today, graffiti was discovered at the front entrance of the Consulate building located at 344 St Kilda Road around 1:00 am. This marks yet another instance of the consular premises being targeted in recent years.
India’s High Commission in Canberra has raised the matter with Australian authorities. In a social media post, the official account of India in Australia stated, “The incident of defacing at the premises of the Consulate General of India in Melbourne by miscreants has been raised with Australian authorities. All necessary steps are being taken to ensure safety and security of Indian diplomatic and consular premises and personnel in the country. @DrSJaishankar @MEAIndia @cgimelbourne.”
Earlier, confirming the incident, Victoria Police told The Australia Today that officers attended the scene on the morning of 10 April. A police spokesperson said, “Officers believe the front entry of the building was graffitied overnight, sometime between Wednesday 9 and Thursday 10 April. An investigation into the damage remains ongoing.”
‘Message Of Intimidation’: Indian-Australian Community Distressed With Repeated Consulate Defacement
The repeated targeting of Indian diplomatic and religious sites has sparked distress among the Indian-Australian community, with leaders describing the acts as a “message of intimidation”. A local Indian-Australian organiser, who requested anonymity, said, “It’s not just graffiti — it’s a message of intimidation aimed at our community”, The Australia Today’s report stated.
The consulate has previously been subject to similar provocations, particularly during periods of heightened international tension.
At this stage, Victoria Police have not confirmed whether any suspects have been identified or if security footage from the area is being reviewed. Authorities have urged the public to assist with the investigation. “Anyone with information that could assist police is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au,” the police spokesperson added, as per the report.
The incident comes amid heightened scrutiny over hate-based crimes in Victoria. Premier Jacinta Allan’s government earlier this year passed anti-vilification laws aimed at increasing penalties for offences motivated by hate or religious bias. Despite these measures, members of the Indian-Australian community have voiced frustration over what they perceive as slow and inconsistent responses by law enforcement.
“This is not about politics,” said one community member, as per The Australia Today. “It’s about safety, respect, and equal protection under the law.”
The investigation into the vandalism remains ongoing, with police not ruling out the possibility of coordinated activity or links to similar past incidents, the report stated.
