Meet Amritvir Singh, ALP member selling Khalistan in Australia

On November 19 this 12 months, a Nagar Kirtan (additionally known as Humanity stroll) organised by the Indian-Australian group in Victoria’s capital Melbourne was ‘hijacked’ by Khalistani supporters. Now, it has emerged {that a} member of the Australian Labor Party, the ruling get together each on the nationwide degree and likewise in Victoria, was behind this.

The march, which was purported to foster inter-faith concord, as a substitute witnessed the distribution of T-shirts, booklets and Khalistani flags. The man who was on the helm of Khalistani propaganda that day was Amritvir Singh, the chief committee member (unbiased) of the Victorian Sikh Gurdwaras Council (VSGC), who can be related to the Victoria Labor Party, the Victorian unit of Australian Labor Party.

It should be talked about that VSGC is an umbrella organisation, which represents 7 Sikh Gurudwaras in Victoria, and has been organising Nagar Kirtans since 2019.

Extremists seen marching with Khalistani flag throughout Nagar Kirtan at Victoria, picture through The Australia Today

An official related to the Victorian Sikh Gurdwaras Council (VSGC) informed The Australia Today, “Amritvir Singh was the reason Khalistan supporters could come and distribute their booklets, T-shirts and flags in the Nagar Kirtan.”

“VSGC management committee was notified by Amritvir Singh that a ‘group’ with which he works closely wants to come to Nagar Kirtan/Humanity walk to garner support for Khalistan amongst Australian Sikhs,” the official added.

While VGSC has distanced itself from the controversy, Amritvir informed the Australian newspaper that he had left the choice by the hands of the Committee whether or not to platform the Khalistani separatists.

Khalistanis from US, Canada be a part of Nagar Kirtan in Australia

According to The Australia Today, those that hijacked the Nagar Kirtan that day have been no unusual males however members of the banned terror outfit, Sikhs for Justice (SFJ).

Many of them had flown in from the United States and Canada to take part within the occasion and run the ‘Khalistan referendum’ programme. Sikhs for Justice was banned by the Indian authorities on July 10, 2019, beneath the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act for anti-India actions on July 10, 2019.

India declared the founding father of Sikhs for Justice, Gurpatwant Singh Pannu, a terrorist, in July 2020. In the identical month, 40 web sites of SFJ have been blocked by the Indian authorities. SFJ had tried to lure Punjab’s youth for Referendum 2020 and create unrest within the area.

Sikhs for Justice are banned in India. Despite the denials about SFJ working in Australia, these handles at the moment are taking possession. pic.twitter.com/usYd0F3XGE

— 𑆩𑆳𑆬𑆴𑆤𑆵 Sarah L Gates (@SarahLGates1) November 19, 2022

Amritvir Singh claimed that the VSGC administration committee allowed the Khalistanis to carry their demonstrations. “I have a working relationship with Miri Piri Gurudwara in Melbourne’s west. I received a call from them that they want to talk about the situation in Punjab (India) on the stage,” he mentioned.

“As discussed with you and your group we can only allow protest at the back of Nagar Kirtan,” he quoted a VSGC member as saying.

Reaction of the locals in Victoria

While talking concerning the matter to The Australia Today, a 71-year-old Melbourne resident Sukhjeet Kaur mentioned, “Just when I thought it is the best time to be in Melbourne with flourishing Gurdwara and Nagar Kirtan at the centre of the city, these Khalistan supporters are destroying it.”

She knowledgeable, “I thought we have left the dark memories of Khalistani terrorism behind us but on Saturday I felt like I am back to those ugly days. A little child whose grandfather was killed by Khalistani terrorists is given the Khalistan flag, it is the biggest torture of my life.”

Amritvir Singh and his affiliation with the Australian Labour Party

Amritvir Singh, a resident of southeast Melbourne, has good connections with the ruling Australian Labour Party (ALP) in Victoria. He informed The Australia Today that he advises the Victorian Sikh Gurdwaras Council on authorities relations plans and youth affairs. It is notable that ALP chief Anthony Albanese grew to become the prime minister of Australia in May this 12 months after the left-wing get together received the elections. Similarly, the get together additionally leads the state authorities in Victoria.

Until mid-2020, Amritvir labored as electoral workers in ALP MP Bruce Jullian Hill’s workplace. According to his Linkedin profile, he labored as an election marketing campaign co-ordinator of the get together between September and December 2018.

Screengrab of the LinkedIn profile of Amritvir Singh

Since July this 12 months, he has been serving as a Research Officer of the get together in Docklands in Victoria. The similar Amritvir Singh was seen marching with a Khalistani flag on the Nagar Kirtan held final month.

Last month, he was noticed managing the sales space for Victorian Legislative Assembly member Pauline Richards. Interestingly, the Nagar Kirtan was funded by Victoria’s Department of Families, Fairness and Housing. Victorian Minister for Workplace Safety (Ingrid Stitt), and Victorian Emergency Management Commissioner (Andrew Crisp) additionally attended the occasion.

Amritvir Singh campaigning for Victorian PM Pauline Richards

Amritvir has been unabashed about his agency assist for the Khalistan motion. “I support Khalistan, I support Sikh brothers asking for self determinations that’s why I support ‘Sikh for Justice’s process for a referendum,” he was quoted as saying.

India expresses concern, Australia begins probe

It is notable that India has already taken observe of the Khalistan flags and banners within the Melbourne occasion, and the Indian authorities has already warned the Australian authorities concerning the rise of Khalistani parts within the nation. Reportedly, throughout are current assembly with Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil, Indian authorities officers expressed concern over rising assist for the Khalistan motion, particularly within the Indian group in Melbourne. Indian officers informed the Australian govt that the Indian govt was frightened that native Khalistan motion leaders have been recruiting ­impressionable Indian Sikhs in Australia “who don’t know what they are getting into”.

India additionally informed Australia that the Khalistan motion had ties to proscribed terrorist organisations with a historical past of violent terrorism and plenty of violence previously. Therefore, if their rising affect will not be checked, there’s a risk of communal disharmony and regulation and order issues.

After the priority expressed by India, the Australian authorities has began to analyze the matter, and the officers are reportedly investigating whether or not overseas nationals with a historical past of violence have entered the nation and joined the Khalistan motion. The Australia Today additionally revealed that the Department of Home Affairs is inspecting the visa situations of some Khalistani abroad gamers who’re actively concerned in a proposed Khalistan referendum to be held in Melbourne.