“I’m lucky to be alive,” Rohit Singh said after a morning walk in Melbourne’s west turned into a violent racist attack involving an elderly Indian-Australian.A group of about 12 elderly people who regularly walked, drank coffee and talked at the Sanctuary Lakes shopping center in Point Cook were subjected to days of racial abuse before things got worse. According to Rohit Singh’s father, who is also a member of the group, the harassment had been going on for several days.He told Australia Today that a woman repeatedly approached the elderly walkers, insulting them by saying “go back to your country” and telling them “they don’t belong here”. The organization initially tried to ignore the abuse.However, Singh said the woman returned and continued the abuse. The conflict turned physical when he stepped in to defend his father and others.The woman threw a bag of trash at the group, then got into her car and drove towards them. Singer claimed she intentionally hit him and his father with her car.“I’m lucky to be alive,” Singer said. He said it was the result of repeated abuse against vulnerable Indian-Australian elders.He suffered serious injuries and was taken to hospital by ambulance. Video of the incident shows the car hitting Rohit Singh and his father.Victoria Police attended the scene and a report has been lodged. An off-duty police officer witnessed the incident, but no arrests have been made.Palma, another member of the group, said these morning walks are about much more than exercise. “This is our space for socialization, language, friendship and belonging. This is why repeated racist harassment is so deeply disturbing.”
