“What about get back on your f***ing boat"
A Punjabi nurse recalled the moment he was assaulted in alleged racist attack outside a gym in Australia.
Harmanpreet Singh was leaving the Planet Fitness gym near Geelong, south-west of Melbourne, late on February 17 when he was confronted by three men.
Mr Singh claimed the group had harassed him earlier during his workout before approaching him again in the car park.
Footage of the confrontation shows a man calling Mr Singh an “Indian dog” and spitting in his direction.
The man said: “You want to f***ing mouth off when there’s cameras? You want to mouth off, you Indian dog.
“What about get back on your f***ing boat and go back to where you come from.”
The man is also heard telling the two others to “drag (Mr Singh) over to where there’s no cameras”.
He added: “You want me to f**k you up and get locked up?
“You’re not worth time, you’re not worth jail time.”
Mr Singh was then allegedly headbutted by one of the men before the trio left in a grey car. The alleged assault was not captured on video.
Mr Singh said: “He got really close to my face and then just got really far back and hit his head on my nose. It just started bleeding straight away.
“They just wanted to attack. I wasn’t provoking anything. I was being calm and literally saying I don’t want to fight you guys.”
The footage ends with the man appearing to take a photo of what he believed were Mr Singh’s number plates, claiming he had “mates that will find your address”.
Mr Singh was taken to hospital, where he spent the night receiving treatment for his injuries. He said he remains traumatised by the incident.
He had been due to start a new job at Footscray Hospital the following day, but that has been delayed by a week while he recovers.
Mr Singh said he may require surgery for a broken nose.
He added that this was not the first time he had experienced racial abuse since arriving in Australia four years ago. He is now considering changing gyms and moving home because of safety concerns.
Mr Singh said: “I try to keep myself strong and not care about these things but it hurts, just be kind to each other, there’s no need to be racist.
“I don’t know if I’m going to go back to the gym or if I’m going to change my house. I’m not going to feel safe after this.”
The Mayor of Geelong, Stretch Kontelj, said racism of any kind had “no place in Geelong or in Australia”.
He added: “We are a diverse and multicultural city built on respect, hard work and the principle that everyone deserves to feel safe and valued, regardless of their background.
“I trust that this matter will be reported to Victoria Police and that, if laws have been breached, the appropriate action will be taken.”
Victoria Police confirmed it is investigating the incident.
Loading ...