Indians have slammed Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Simon Overland's comment that Indians should look poor to avoid being attacked, reports said on Sunday.

Speaking at an at an international students' safety forum on Saturday, Overland said, ''Don't display your iPods, don't display your valuable watch, don't display your valuable jewellery. Try to look as poor as you can."

However, the the top cop also said that foreign students should try not to live in Melbourne's poorer suburbs where crime rates are higher.

Federation of Indian Students of Australia (FISA) secretary Gautam Gupta slammed Overland's advice. "'What is he saying? Indians don't have the right to be rich? And if they look rich, do they maybe have to get bashed? On one hand, everyone should look poor. On the other, don't live in poor areas. I don't understand,'' he reportedly said.

The Indian media also slammed Overland for his comment.