MELBOURNE, October 18, 2026: A far-right Australian organisation, the National Workers Alliance, attempted to disrupt a peaceful rally by members of the Indian diaspora in Melbourne on Sunday in solidarity with ongoing student and youth protests in India over alleged electoral manipulation, calls for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, and democratic rights.
As temperatures reached 27 degrees, a large crowd gathered near Parliament House, waving Australian flags. Several young people climbed a high point near the Parliament steps to shout slogans, while another man entered the rally and began delivering a speech.
The Indian rally remained calm. Police intervened and removed the uninvited speaker. A larger police contingent then arrived and separated the groups, moving the National Workers Alliance members to the left side of the area.
The group set up a loudspeaker and displayed a large blue banner reading “START REMIGRATION”. They delivered speeches and played loud music, which appeared intended to drown out speeches at the Indian rally.
Protesters from the far-right group shouted, “Go back, go back.” They were countered by a group of Australians who had joined the Indian rally, chanting, “We welcome migrants, we welcome migrants.”
The Indian rally proceeded peacefully, with speakers addressing the gathering. Participants carried Australian, Aboriginal and Indian flags. Some held placards reading: “They Deleted My Name – Not My Voice” and “Bahut Hui Maan Ki Baat – Ab Sunna Padega Jaan Ki Baat.”
One protester carried a copy of the Indian Constitution. Another banner read: “Let the struggles and sacrifice of our freedom fighters not go in vain. Protect our democracy. Protect our constitution. Protect our vote.”
In India, Opposition parties, Left student groups and the youth-led Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) say the scale and conduct of the revision risk disenfranchising legitimate voters. They allege that minority voters, particularly Muslims, have been disproportionately affected — claims rejected by both the Election Commission and the BJP.
The rally was held under the banner: “Melbourne stands with India’s democracy and for fair elections, justice, accountability and democracy.” Similar rallies were held in Brisbane, Adelaide and Sydney.
The rallies were supported by The Humanism Project, Hindus for Human Rights and other Indian diaspora groups.
