The growing hostility is also seeping into the political discourse, further deepening divisions.

"Diversity is what makes Australia the great nation that we are. To everyone who experiences racism, I stand with you. We belong in Australia."

Tony Abbott highlighted the need for a genuinely skills-based migration program that is significantly smaller than the current one.

Critics argue that SB 509 prioritises abstract foreign threats over immediate protection for communities at risk from domestic extremism such as from white supremacists and Khalistani extremists.

"You don't belong in this country, get out."

Indian community leaders say the remarks reflect a long-standing political pattern of targeting minorities.

Labor’s Julian Hill says Senator Price was sacked for not supporting Ley, not for her Indian migrant remarks.

Treasurer Daniel Mookhey said the community must not be “used as fodder in an internal Liberal Party dispute” over migration.

“These are just the sort of Australians that the Liberal Party should be absolutely going out of their way to make friends with.”

For me, supporting the Australian Indian community is in my DNA – and it is in my DNA because I am a Liberal.