Australia, often celebrated as one of the world’s most successful immigrant nations, is grappling with a new wave of anti-immigration sentiment. On August 31, thousands took to the streets in major cities, targeting migrants, particularly the rapidly growing Indian community. Organised under the banner of ‘March for Australia,’ the rallies drew criticism from the government, which linked them to neo-Nazi groups and condemned their divisive rhetoric. The protests raise serious questions about social cohesion, the rise of far-right extremism, and the challenges faced by Indians, now Australia’s second-largest migrant group.
Protests across major cities
Thousands of people joined rallies under the banner of ‘March for Australia’ in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Canberra, Adelaide and Perth. In Sydney alone, between 5,000 and 8,000 people turned up, many waving Australian flags.
At the same time, counter-protests were organised by groups like the Refugee Action Coalition, which accused March for Australia of spreading hate. Clashes between the two groups were reported in Melbourne.
Some politicians also showed support for the rallies. Bob Katter, leader of a small populist party, attended one of the events in Queensland.
The March for Australia group claims mass immigration is destroying social unity. Its website says the protests are meant to defend “the people, culture, and nation that built Australia”. Flyers and online posts by the group singled out Indian migration, saying, “More Indians in five years, than Greeks and Italians in 100. This is not a slight cultural change, it is a replacement.”
Government condemns rallies
The Australian government hit out at the protests, stressing that they were linked to extremist groups. Senior ministers said the rallies were not about protecting communities but about spreading division.
“All Australians, no matter their heritage, have the right to feel safe and welcome in our community,” the government said in a statement.
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke was more direct. He said, “There is no place in our country for people who seek to divide and undermine our social cohesion. Nothing could be less Australian.”
Why Indians are being targeted
The Indian community is now one of the largest migrant groups in Australia. According to the 2021 census, nearly 976,000 people of Indian origin live in the country. That makes up more than three per cent of Australia’s total population of 26 million.
Indians are also the fastest-growing overseas group. In 2001, there were only 156,000 people of Indian background. By 2011, that number had grown to nearly 474,000, and by 2021, it reached almost a million.
The growth has been driven by skilled migration and student visas. Since the 2000s, many Indian students have chosen Australia for higher education, and large numbers have stayed on with permanent residency. Indians in Australia are mostly young, well-educated and employed in professional fields like IT, medicine and academia.
Why it matters
Australia has long been described as one of the world’s great “immigrant nations”. But the rise of far-right groups shows that immigration remains a divisive issue. The focus on Indians this time highlights the challenges faced by the country’s fastest-growing community.
The government’s strong response is aimed at reassuring migrant groups that they remain welcome in Australia. However, the protests also underline how far-right movements are trying to turn immigration into a political flashpoint.
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