Australia PM Demands Apology from Opposition Senator over Anti-Indian Comments amid Nationwide Tensions

Australian Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price from the centre-right Liberal Party faced widespread criticism for suggesting that a large influx of Indian migrants was encouraged to boost votes for the Labor Party. Her comments, made during a radio interview amid nationwide anti-immigrant protests blaming Indians for rising cost-of-living pressures, sparked outrage within the Australian-Indian community and calls for an apology from various quarters, including her own party. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned Price's remarks as false and hurtful, urging her to apologize for the damage caused. Government statistics indicate that over 845,800 Indian-born people lived in Australia in 2023, more than doubling in the past decade, with many more of Indian ancestry born locally. In response to rising anti-Indian sentiment, the New South Wales government convened community groups to affirm their support for the Indian community and reject racist and divisive rhetoric. Additionally, India's foreign ministry engaged with Australian authorities to address concerns over the increased anti-Indian sentiment following recent protests.