Hindu Council Accused of Islamophobia, Inquiry Underway in Australia

IQNA – An investigation has been launched by the Australian Human Rights Commission into complaints that the Hindu Council of Australia, including President Sai Paravastu and Media Head Neelima Paravastu, repeatedly engaged in Islamophobic conduct from May 2024 to July 2025.

The complaint by the Alliance Against Islamophobia alleges social media posts and public comments targeted Indian, Bangladeshi, and Rohingya Muslims, sharing content from far-right figures and portraying Muslims as inherently criminal, dangerous, or threatening.

The imputations from several of the posts, the complaint alleges, were that Muslims were “inherently criminal, dangerous, violent or evil by nature”, “prey upon children, the aged and the vulnerable,” and “homogeneously pose a powerful threat or menace,” according to The Guardian.

The complaint demands a public apology, removal of posts, legally binding assurances against further vilification, and compensation for distress caused.

Since the start of war between the Israeli regime and Hamas in Gaza in October 2024, reports show a sharp rise in anti-Muslim incidents in Australia. Physical anti-Muslim incidents have increased by about 150%, while online incidents have risen by approximately 250%.

A 2024 study found that between January 2023 and November 2024 there were over 600 verified online and in-person Islamophobic incidents, with women disproportionately affected.

Source: Agencies