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Giridharan Sivaraman calls Australia ‘stolen land’, faces backlash
While speaking on the SBS podcast, Sivaraman said that he feels conflicted about Australia Day as there is an undercurrent of nationalism about this day.
-
Rwittika Chakraborty
- Tue, 03, Feb 2026
- 01:54 EST
- 13
Indian-origin race discrimination commissioner of the Albanese government in Australia, Giridharan Sivaraman. / LinkedIn/@Giri Sivaraman கிரி சிவராமன்
Indian-origin race discrimination commissioner of the Albanese government in Australia, Giridharan Sivaraman, is facing heavy criticism after he said that Jan. 26 should not be celebrated as Australia Day, as it marked the beginning of colonization and the displacement of the First People from their own country.
While speaking on the SBS podcast, Sivaraman referred to Australia as “stolen land,” and said that he feels conflicted about Australia Day as there is an undercurrent of nationalism about this day.
ALSO READ: Indians abroad dominate Australia Day 2026 Honours List
"When it comes to January 26, it becomes so difficult, because there's this undercurrent of nationalism - love it or leave it phenomenon where people go, well 'unless you're with us, you're against us', and so you've just got to, on January 26, you've got to kiss the flag, love the country, otherwise go away, said Sivaraman.
He further mentioned his experience as an immigrant, and added,
"January 26 is such a conflicted day, and for many, as a migrant from India, I was born in India, I came here when I was young. I feel very, very conflicted when I think about January 26 because I think, well, what are we celebrating? We're all on stolen land and we actually need truth-telling about the history of this land."
Sivaram also shared the opinion that the date of Australia Day should be changed as it was co-opted by "white supremacists," and said
"It is a day when colonisation began which led to First Peoples being forced off their country and on to missions and reserves, genocidal acts, massacres, systematic child removal and more.”
"It is appropriate for the Race Discrimination Commissioner to talk about the dispossession of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders of their land... it is also appropriate to talk about nationalism, like white supremacists who have used Australia Day as a platform for racism and racist hate," added Sivaram.
His remarks brought in backlash all across, including from Attorney-General Michelle Rowland and Shadow Attorney-General Andrew Wallace, who called Sivaram ill-informed.
Sky News host James Macpherson said that if Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is concerned about social cohesion, then he should fire Sivaraman.
Discover more at New India Abroad.
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