The National Network remain outraged—but not surprised—by the horrific violence recently inflicted by South Australian police against Gaurav Kundi, an unwell man now in a coma after his head was slammed into the road and a police officer drove his knee into his neck.
‘This violent assault happened despite the desperate pleas of his wife, Amritpal Kaur, who, from all accounts, clearly told officers that her husband was not well and needed medical help—not brutalisation,’ said Debbie Kilroy.
This assault comes just days after the Police Minister announced a massive pre-budget commitment to “upgrading” so-called de-escalation weapons. ‘What good are new weapons when the core issue is the culture of violence that defines policing? What does “de-escalation” even mean when police default to force, ignore pleas for help, and respond to distress with brutality?’ said Debbie Kilroy.
‘We are being told by the government that police are the right first responders to domestic and family violence. Yet here is a textbook example of why they are not,’ said Debbie Kilroy. ‘This government has criminalised coercive control under the false promise of protection, ignoring warnings from grassroots organisations—especially those led by criminalised women and Aboriginal communities—that these laws would lead to more harm, more surveillance, and more violence,’ said Debbie Kilroy.
‘Police misread the situation entirely. They saw a racialised man in distress—loud and unwell—and presumed guilt. Instead of asking questions, they went straight to violence. Kaur told them repeatedly that her husband was unwell. Instead of listening, they kneed him in the neck and smashed his head into the pavement. Now he may never wake up,’ said Debbie Kilroy.
‘This is not an isolated incident. This is the everyday reality of over-policing in racialised and marginalised communities. This is the cost of expanding police powers and pouring public money into weapons and force rather than into care, healing, and community-based support,’ said Tabitha Lean.
‘The National Network call on the South Australian Police Minister to immediately establish an independent inquiry—one that is not conducted by police, nor overseen by the very systems that enable and protect them. We demand truth, accountability, and an end to the lies that frame police as arbiters of safety. They are not,’ said Tabitha Lean.
‘Until we remove police from situations of mental health distress, domestic and family violence, and all other forms of distress, this kind of harm will continue. And it will always be the most marginalised—Aboriginal, racialised, poor, disabled, and criminalised people—who pay the price,’ said Tabitha Lean.
We send our deepest love, care, and solidarity to Amritpal Kaur, and to Gaurav Kundi’s whole family. No one should have to witness such brutality or bear the trauma they are now enduring. Our hearts are with them.
No more platitudes. No more money for weapons. No more lies about “safety.” The National Network demand justice for Gaurav Kundi. We demand an end to police violence—before another life is lost.
For further comment, please contact Debbie Kilroy on 0419 762 474 or Tabitha Lean on 0499 780 226.
