An Indian-origin family became victims of a racially motivated attack in the car park of Lynbrook hotel in Melbourne.
54-year-old Lynn Balm was attacked, punched and kicked to the ground by the attackers when he tried to save his sister.
“Never in my life, it happened. They punched me to the ground and started kicking me,” Mr Balm told media persons after spending a night in hospital due to injuries.
“We got off the car, and straight away they said, you f***ing Indias, get out. Get out of this country,” Mr Balm’s sister Jacqueline Prakasham said.
According to 23-year-old Kerri Prakasham, her father Keith, mother Jacqueline and uncle Lynn were allegedly attacked by two men outside the Lynbrook Hotel on Saturday, February 12.
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“Around 10 pm last night, a racially motivated attack was made on my family outside the Lynbrook Hotel in the parking lot. A drunk and/or substance affected man spotted my father leaving his car and pursed him whilst calling out to him, “You f***ing Indian bastard”,” Kerri posted on Facebook.
She says some bystanders came to their aid, pulling the alleged offenders away. The offenders fled the scene.
“As an Indian person, I’m used to racist comments, but I never thought that a physical assault would ever happen to someone close to me. I thought we were getting over racism, and things were getting better, but this shows that people are still so cruel,” Mr Prakasham was quoted as saying by the Herald Sun.
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Victoria Police said a 29-year-old man had handed himself in over the incident.
“Police have a number of follow up inquiries to make and are yet to speak to all parties involved formally,” they told the media.
Any witnesses or anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
