Another attack on Indian Consulate: Graffiti incident in Melbourne sparks fresh security concerns

In the early hours of April 10, 2025, the Consulate General of India in Melbourne was defaced with graffiti, marking yet another disturbing incident targeting Indian diplomatic premises in Australia. The attack, reportedly carried out around 1 a.m., was confirmed by Victoria Police, which responded to reports of vandalism at the consulate located on St Kilda Road. According to officials, graffiti was discovered scrawled on the front entrance of the diplomatic building, though no suspects have been identified so far.

The Indian High Commission in Canberra reacted strongly to the incident, stating that the matter had been formally raised with Australian authorities. The Commission underscored that all necessary measures were being taken to safeguard the security of Indian diplomatic staff and consular assets across Australia. While consulate officials have not issued a formal statement, sources indicated that the vandalism was promptly escalated to senior Victorian officials and Canberra’s diplomatic circles.

What has been the response from Australian authorities?

Victoria Police confirmed that an investigation into the graffiti incident is ongoing. The police acknowledged the graffiti was applied sometime between the night of April 9 and early morning of April 10. Officers visited the site to assess the damage and began collecting evidence, although it is still unclear whether any surveillance footage has been reviewed or whether suspects have been identified.

Community members and Indian-origin leaders in Australia have expressed alarm over the repeated targeting of Indian institutions, temples, and cultural landmarks. Local organisations have described the attack as more than just vandalism, characterising it as an act of intimidation designed to sow fear within the Indian diaspora.

In response, the Victorian state government reiterated its commitment to combating hate-motivated crimes. Premier Jacinta Allan’s administration has passed robust anti-vilification legislation in recent years aimed at addressing religious and cultural bias. However, Indian community representatives say enforcement has been uneven, and there is a growing perception that hate crimes directed at their community receive slower or less visible responses.

Is this part of a wider pattern of anti-India vandalism?

This is not the first time the Indian Consulate in Melbourne has been targeted. Over the past two years, there has been a rise in incidents involving graffiti, slogans, and symbolic attacks against Indian missions and Hindu temples across Australia. Several of these episodes have coincided with politically charged events or referendums supported by pro-Khalistani separatist groups operating internationally.

In early 2023, a string of Hindu temples in Melbourne and Brisbane were vandalised with anti-India and anti-Hindu graffiti. Many of those incidents featured slogans linked to the Khalistan movement—a campaign advocating for a separate Sikh homeland. While not all of the perpetrators have been identified, Indian authorities have repeatedly flagged the involvement of transnational networks and fringe diaspora groups with extremist affiliations.

During Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s state visit to India in 2023, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi raised the issue directly, expressing deep concern over attacks on places of religious significance and urging Australia to take stronger preventive measures. Despite bilateral assurances of cooperation, the recurrence of such incidents in 2024 and 2025 has renewed diplomatic tensions.

What is the impact on India–Australia relations?

The spate of vandalism incidents has tested the otherwise strengthening bilateral relationship between India and Australia. Over the last decade, the two countries have deepened strategic and economic ties, culminating in the signing of the Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA) and growing collaboration on regional security in the Indo-Pacific.

Yet, these incidents have highlighted the vulnerabilities in diaspora security and the challenges of addressing hate speech and extremism in multicultural democracies. India has repeatedly urged Australia to not only investigate such attacks thoroughly but also to hold perpetrators accountable under hate crime laws. Australian authorities have responded with pledges to increase surveillance and protection around diplomatic and religious sites, but enforcement gaps remain a key concern.

Analysts suggest that unless visibly stronger deterrents are implemented, such incidents could erode the goodwill built through years of diplomacy. Public sentiment among the Indian diaspora, which plays a vital role in economic and cultural exchange, is increasingly marked by frustration and a sense of marginalisation.

What are the next steps in the investigation?

Victoria Police has appealed for public assistance, encouraging anyone with information related to the incident to contact Crime Stoppers. The investigation remains active, and authorities are expected to review security camera footage and explore potential links to past incidents.

While no formal arrests have been made, the lack of resolution in similar cases has contributed to the perception that perpetrators act with impunity. The Indian government has urged Australia to share findings promptly and ensure follow-through, particularly on incidents affecting foreign missions, which fall under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.

According to experts in international law, host countries have a legal obligation to protect foreign consular properties from damage and prevent any form of interference. A failure to do so could be interpreted as negligence under international diplomatic norms, although enforcement of such obligations often depends on political will and law enforcement capability.

Why does this matter for multiculturalism and domestic policy in Australia?

The defacing of the Indian Consulate has reignited broader debates in Australia about multicultural harmony and the effectiveness of current hate crime legislation. Victoria is widely regarded as the country’s most diverse state, home to a large and growing Indian-Australian population. Community leaders have warned that recurring attacks on religious and diplomatic institutions could damage the state’s reputation as a safe and inclusive place for minority communities.

Social cohesion experts say that acts of vandalism targeting ethnic or religious groups often serve as rallying points for extremists. If not addressed decisively, they risk emboldening fringe elements while alienating the wider public. Calls have been growing for the creation of a dedicated task force to monitor hate crimes and strengthen protections for vulnerable communities.

For now, the incident at the Indian Consulate serves as a stark reminder of the challenges of balancing free expression, political dissent, and public safety in an increasingly interconnected world. Whether the Australian authorities are able to respond swiftly and transparently will likely shape both diplomatic relations and community trust in the months ahead.