AN INDIAN student, bashed unconscious and robbed in the city near Victoria Police headquarters, says he was the victim of a racially-motivated attack.

Two drunk men approached Neeraj Bhardwaj, 23, when he was waiting for a tram near Melbourne Aquarium at 4am on Easter Monday after a night out.

The men, who Mr Bhardwaj says were white and aged in their 20s, demanded the kitchenhand's wallet.

He handed it over but one man punched him several times in the face until he lost consciousness. The men left but returned about 15 minutes later and punched Mr Bhardwaj again, one screaming: ''F--- off, go back to your own country.''

The assault left him with a damaged left eye, broken nose, headaches and sore ribs.

He said doctors told him his left eye had lost ''80 to 90 per cent'' of its capacity and might never recover.

He said he was scared to leave the house and he did not know what to tell his family in India.

He is unable to work and fears blindness might prevent him from becoming a chef or restaurant manager.

''I had a bright future but it has been taken away by criminals. I'm not safe in this city.''

A police investigation is continuing. Anyone with information should call CrimeStoppers on 1800 333 000.