No place for violence, vandalism: Australian minister after pro-Khalistanis assault Indians in Melbourne

In the wake of the assault on unarmed Indians by pro-Khalistani forces in Melbourne, Australia’s Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs Tim Watts stated there was no room for violence within the nation.

New Delhi,UPDATED: Jan 31, 2023 10:08 IST

Pro-Khalistanis attacked unarmed Indians in Melbourne on Sunday (India Today photograph)

By Devika Bhattacharya: Australia’s deputy international minister stated he was “appalled” by the conflict between alleged pro-Khalistanis and unarmed Indians in Melbourne on Sunday that left at the very least 5 injured.

Issuing a robust assertion, Australian MP and Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs Tim Watts stated there was no room for violence within the land Down Under. He additionally talked about {that a} police investigation into the incident is underway.

“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,” Watts tweeted.

I used to be appalled to see the violence at Fed Square in Melbourne on the weekend. People have the correct to have interaction in peaceable protest in Australia, however there is no such thing as a place for the violence or vandalism we’ve seen lately. Pleased @VictoriaPolice responded rapidly & are investigating.
— Tim Watts MP (@TimWattsMP) January 30, 2023

Echoing the sentiment, Australian High Commissioner to India Barry O’Farrell stated in a tweet, “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,” Australian High Commissioner to India.”

WHAT HAPPENED?

According to a report by Australia Today, males from alleged pro-Khalistani teams attacked a bunch of Indians carrying the Tricolour at Federation Square in Melbourne, within the state of Victoria, on Sunday afternoon.

The Indians had arrived on the scene to protest towards an unofficial referendum on the creation of an impartial state for Sikhs organised by the US-based secessionist group Sikhs For Justice, The Age reported.

Videos shared on social media confirmed a bunch of males waving the Khalistani flag and attacking Indians carrying the Tricolour. The pro-Khalistani forces have been additionally seen carrying rods and chasing the Indian protesters.

Sharing one such purported video of the fracas, Bharatiya Janata Party chief Manjinder Singh Sirsa condemned the “anti-India activities” by pro-Khalistanis in Australia.

I strongly condemn anti India actions by professional Khalistani in Australia. Anti-social parts which can be attempting to disrupt the peace & concord of the nation with these actions, have to be handled strongly and culprits have to be delivered to books.@ANI pic.twitter.com/xMMxNTQscc
— Manjinder Singh Sirsa (@mssirsa) January 29, 2023

The incident capped simmering tensions throughout the Indian diaspora following a string of assaults on Hindu temples in Australia. As many as three temples have been vandalized and defaced with anti-India and pro-Khalistani graffiti in Victoria province prior to now month.

The Indian High Commission in Canberra had referred to as these assaults blatant makes an attempt to advertise animosity and discord among the many Indian neighborhood.

INDIAN ENVOY VISITS VANDALISED TEMPLES

On Monday, Indian High Commissioner to Australia Manpreet Vohra visited the Shri Shiva Vishnu Temple in Carrum Downs which was desecrated by alleged Khalistan supporters on the eve of Pongal.

The Indian envoy referred to as the temple “a place of worship that has always been revered by all communities and faiths,” and condemned its “vandalization” by “pro-Khalistani elements”.

Visited the historic Shri Shiva Vishnu Temple in Melbourne, a spot of worship that has all the time been revered by all communities and faiths. That makes its vandalization with hate-filled grafitti by pro-Khalistani parts much more condemnable. Confident that they won’t succeed pic.twitter.com/cm6Ckm2FCO
— Manpreet Vohra (@VohraManpreet) January 30, 2023

Vohra additionally provided prayers at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Temple and Iskcon Krishna Temple in Melbourne, two of the three websites the place anti-India graffiti was daubed on the partitions, allegedly by Khalistan supporters, earlier this month. He additionally met Daniel Andrews, the premier of Victoria province, of which Melbourne is the capital.

It was a privilege to name on Premier of Victoria @DanielAndrewsMP right now. Discussed our robust and rising bilateral relationship, the violence in Melbourne yesterday, and cease extremist Khalistani teams participating in additional actions prejudicial to peace and concord. pic.twitter.com/BSA9xlGNX6
— Manpreet Vohra (@VohraManpreet) January 30, 2023

Edited By:

Devika Bhattacharya

Published On:

Jan 31, 2023