Who is Harmanpreet Singh? Sikh nurse allegedly called ‘Indian dog’ in Melbourne gym attack

Melbourne: A 22-year-old Sikh nurse, Harmanpreet Singh, has alleged that he was assaulted and racially abused during a late-night gym session in Melbourne’s Geelong region, sparking concern within the Indian diaspora in Australia.

According to Singh, the incident occurred around 11 pm at a gym in Corio, a suburb near Geelong in the state of Victoria. He said he was confronted by three men while training. The situation escalated after he left the gym, when the same individuals were allegedly waiting outside.

Singh has claimed that he was subjected to racist abuse, including being called an “Indian dog” and told to “go back to where you came from”. He further alleged that one of the men headbutted him, causing a nose injury that required hospital treatment. The attackers reportedly fled the scene in a grey sedan.

He was taken to hospital by locals and is said to have suffered a broken nose. Reports indicate that he may require further specialist treatment. Speaking to local media, Singh described feeling traumatised by the incident and expressed concerns about his safety.

Victoria Police are reportedly investigating the alleged assault. Authorities have not yet announced any arrests in connection with the case.

The incident has renewed concerns about the safety of migrant communities in Australia. According to official figures, more than 845,800 people of Indian origin were living in Australia as of June 2023. Community leaders have pointed to previous reports of vandalism, hate speech and harassment targeting Indian-Australians in cities including Melbourne and Sydney.

The alleged attack also comes months after anti-immigration protests were reported in parts of Australia. Representatives from community groups have called for stronger action against hate crimes and greater awareness to address racial discrimination.

Further updates are awaited as investigations continue.