New Delhi: India has strongly urged Australia to take strict action against pro-Khalistani “extremist elements”, who in a recent incident attacked Indians carrying the tricolor in Melbourne last weekend.
Spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs Arindam Bagchi said Thursday that India condemned the recent attacks, adding it had repeatedly taken up its concerns with Australian authorities “about action by elements including proscribed terrorist organisations”.
“We conveyed our firm rejection of the so-called Khalistan referendum and politically motivated exercises. We have requested Australia to ensure the safety of the Indian community and to not allow the use of Australian territory… that will be detrimental to the integrity of India and its national security,” Bagchi told reporters at a briefing.
On 29 January, at Melbourne’s Federal Square, several Indians carrying the national flag were beaten up by men from an alleged pro-Khalistani group – days after a Hindu temple in the city was defaced with pro-Bhindranwale slogans and anti-India graffiti.
Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale — a pro-Khalistan advocate — was a militant leader of Sikh organisation “Damdami Taksal”, who was killed along with his supporters by the Indian Army in 1984 in Amritsar’s Golden Temple, from where he was running a parallel government.
Soon after the Fed Square violence, The Australia Today had tweeted: “Another video of #Khalistan goons running amok in #Melbourne’s Federation Square Five injured one in Hospital.”
Another attack on #Hindu Temple this time in #Canada.
Gauri Shankar Mandir in Brampton #vandalised by anti-Hindu #graffiti. @DrAmitSarwal @AryaCanada @naomi2009 @SarahLGates1 @Pallavi_Aus #templeattacked @rishi_suri @thebritishhindu @ProfVemsani @CoHNAOfficial pic.twitter.com/1w0uF6sNBe— The Australia Today (@TheAusToday) January 31, 2023
The Indian group was seen running away from the scene while the pro-Khalistani men continued to beat them. One man was seen snapping an Indian flag and throwing it on the floor.
Following the violence, Australia’s High Commissioner to India Barry O’ Farrell AO said he was “saddened” by the attack, adding that Australia’s commitment to peaceful protest “does not extend to violence”.
Saddened by these scenes so soon after Australia and India celebrate diversity and unity on their respective national days. Our commitment to peaceful protest does not extend to violence. @DrSJaishankar @MEAIndia @dfat @VohraManpreet @HCICanberra https://t.co/XX1OvbnJYC
— Barry O’Farrell AO (@AusHCIndia) January 31, 2023
Australia’s Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs Tim Watts also said in a tweet: “I was appalled to see the violence at Fed Square in Melbourne on the weekend. People have the right to engage in peaceful protest in Australia, but there is no place for the violence or vandalism we’ve seen recently. Pleased @VictoriaPolice responded quickly & are investigating.”
I was appalled to see the violence at Fed Square in Melbourne on the weekend. People have the right to engage in peaceful protest in Australia, but there is no place for the violence or vandalism we’ve seen recently. Pleased @VictoriaPolice responded quickly & are investigating.
— Tim Watts MP (@TimWattsMP) January 30, 2023
Indian High Commissioner to Australia Manpreet Vohra on Tuesday visited the Shri Shiva Vishnu Temple in Melbourne that was vandalised.
He posted: “Visited the historic Shri Shiva Vishnu Temple in Melbourne, a place of worship that has always been revered by all communities and faiths. That makes its vandalisation with hate-filled graffiti by pro-Khalistani elements even more condemnable. Confident that they will not succeed.”
Visited the historic Shri Shiva Vishnu Temple in Melbourne, a place of worship that has always been revered by all communities and faiths. That makes its vandalization with hate-filled grafitti by pro-Khalistani elements even more condemnable. Confident that they will not succeed pic.twitter.com/cm6Ckm2FCO
— Manpreet Vohra (@VohraManpreet) January 30, 2023
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