Indian diaspora communities and supporters gathered in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide on Sunday 18 October to show solidarity with India’s Gen Z protesters, who are campaigning against alleged electoral manipulation and demanding transparency and accountability from the country’s electoral institutions.
The vigils were supported by The Humanism Project (THP), Hindus for Human Rights Australia (HfHR), Periyar Ambedkar Thought Circle Australia (PATCA) and other diaspora groups.
A THP spokesperson said the gatherings showed the strength of solidarity across generations and communities.
“It was heartening to see Indians from diverse backgrounds and across generations stand together with such conviction. These gatherings sent a clear message to India’s young protesters: you are not alone. Your courage has reached far beyond India’s borders,” the spokesperson said.
“Despite reports of police brutality and unlawful detention, young people continue to demonstrate peacefully to defend the integrity of India’s electoral process. Their determination deserves our solidarity.”
A spokesperson for HfHR said the group stood with “all the people in India who are fighting for democracy”.
“The need of the hour is to come together across political and social divides, even geographic boundaries, and raise our voices against vote theft, police brutality and state repression. We want a strong, democratic India with human rights for all and we will never stop advocating for it, no matter where we are.”
Addressing the Sydney vigil, a Socialist Alliance member thanked the diaspora for organising gatherings in all four cities and placed the protests in the context of youth movements internationally.
“This movement that’s happening in India at the moment is a massive inspiration to anyone who wants to see a better future and a better world,” the speaker said.
“We’ve seen huge resistance from students in France. We’ve also seen the Gen Z youth uprisings in Nepal and Bangladesh and it’s, you know, sparking hope and inspiration around the world.”
In Melbourne, the peaceful gathering outside Victorian Parliament continued despite an attempted disruption by a far-right group, organisers said. Police intervened and separated the groups, allowing the rally to proceed.
“The attempt to intimidate participants in Melbourne reinforces why solidarity matters. Communities must be free to gather peacefully and speak about injustice without facing racist harassment,” the THP spokesperson said.
THP organiser Tanvi Mor said the Melbourne event came together “despite the heat and disruptions”, with courage, poetry, music and solidarity.
“Living away from India doesn’t mean our connection to it disappears. We care deeply about its future and the generations growing up there. Democracy means being able to ask questions, demand accountability and have our voices heard,” Ms Mor said.
“Our message was simple: those raising their voices in India are not alone. We can see you, we can hear you and we are standing with you in this fight.”
Yashveer Singh, founder of the Cockroach Janta Party in Jharkhand, also offered a message of support.
“Patriotism isn’t blind loyalty; it’s the courage to question, the strength to stand up, and the will to protect our democracy. From Jharkhand to Melbourne, Gen Z’s message is clear: we’re not fighting against India, we’re fighting for the India our Constitution promises every citizen. Our generation won’t just inherit the future of Bharat; we’ll stand up to shape it,” he said.
Devibala Palanivel, President of PATCA, said the group stood in solidarity with the protesters’ struggle for electoral integrity and democratic freedoms.
“Periyar and Dr B.R. Ambedkar taught us that democracy demands more than elections, it requires equality, accountability and the freedom to question power. India’s young protesters are defending these fundamental principles. Peaceful dissent is not a threat to democracy; it is its lifeblood,” Ms Palanivel said.
THP called for the protection of peaceful protesters in India, the release of anyone detained solely for exercising their democratic rights, and transparent scrutiny of allegations concerning electoral irregularities.
“From Sydney to Melbourne, Brisbane to Adelaide, our message is clear: protect the vote, protect peaceful dissent and listen to the young people demanding a democratic future,” the spokesperson said.
