Khalistani supporters assault Indian Consulate in Australia’s Brisbane

Khalistani supporters raised their very own flag on the Consulate of India in Brisbane in Australia’s Queensland on February 21.

The Honorary Consulate of India positioned on Swann Road within the Taringa suburb of Brisbane was focused by Khalistani supporters on the evening of February 21. (Source: Australia Today)

By India Today News Desk: Khalistani supporters attacked the Consulate of India in Brisbane in Australia’s Queensland and raised their flag on the workplace, in response to a report in Australia Today. This is the most recent in a sequence of radical actions towards the Indian group within the nation.

The incident comes days after India requested the Australian authorities to crack down on Khalistani separatists, who’ve been attacking Hindu temples within the nation.

Also Read | Cancel case or face consequence: Khalistani chief Amritpal Singh threatens cops to launch aide in Amritsar

According to Australia Today, the Consulate of India, positioned on Swann Road within the Taringa suburb of Brisbane, was targetted by Khalistani supporters on the evening of February 21.

Consul of India in Brisbane, Archana Singh, discovered a Khalistan flag on the workplace when she arrived the subsequent day. She instantly introduced the matter to the eye of Queensland Police, which on arrival confiscated the flag and swept the Consulate to away from any speedy risk.

“Police are surveilling the area to keep us safe. We have strong faith in the police authority,” Archana Singh was quoted as saying by Australia Today.

Editor of Australia Today J Bhardwaj instructed information company ANI that to this point, there have been assaults on Indian Australians. “But now, they (Khalistani supporters are targeting institutions belonging to the Indian government. The attack on the Indian Consulate in Brisbane is a direct attack on the Government of India,” stated Bhardwaj.

Till now, there have been assaults on Indian Australians. But now, goal is establishments belonging to Indian govt. This is a direct assault on Government of India when the Indian Consulate in Brisbane is attacked (by Khalistani components): J Bhardwaj, Editor, The Australia Today pic.twitter.com/XwAzosd2HD
— ANI (@ANI) February 24, 2023

The incident comes at a time when the scenario is tense, even in India. Violence broke out in Punjab’s Amritsar on Thursday as pro-Khalistani components, led by ‘Waris Punjab De’ chief Amritpal Singh, broke into Ajnala police station demanding the discharge of considered one of their aides — Lovepreet Toofan.

Six cops have been additionally injured within the clashes between the pro-Khalistani supporters and the Punjab Police.

The hoisting of the Khalistani flag on the Honorary Consulate of India in Australia comes days after External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar visited the nation and emphasised the necessity for vigilance towards “radical activities” focusing on Indian group in Australia.

Jaishankar and his deputy V Muraleedharan’s visited Sydney and Melbourne on February 18. It was throughout this assembly that Jaishankar raised concern concerning the assaults on Hindu temples to his counterpart Penny Wong and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

Delighted to name on PM @AlboMP of Australia at the moment morning in Kirribilli House in Sydney. Conveyed the non-public greetings of PM @narendramodi.

Our discussions mirrored the complete spirit of our strategic partnership.Apprised @AlboMP of latest developments in that regard. pic.twitter.com/yWoNPnyoWs
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) February 18, 2023

Also Read | Punjab is seeing Khalistani violence, however the place is Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann?

“Noted the forward movement on our bilateral agenda. Emphasised the need for vigilance against radical activities targeting the Indian community,” Jaishankar tweeted after the assembly.

However, on the identical day, Khalistani supporters threatened two Hindu temples whereas they have been celebrating Mahashivratri.

SERIES OF ATTACKS

Khalistani supporters carried out a sequence of assaults towards Hindu temples in January this yr, which compelled External Affairs Minister Jaishankar to take up the matter with the Australian authorities throughout his go to to the nation.

On January 12, the Swaminarayan temple in Melbourne was defaced by ‘anti-social elements’ with anti-India graffiti.

On January 16, the Shri Shiva Vishnu Temple in Carrum Downs, Victoria, was vandalised in the same method.

Also Read : Arrest me when you can: Khalistani seperatist Amritpal Singh in police station

On January 23, the administration of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) temple, often known as the Hare Krishna Temple, in Melbourne’s Albert Park discovered the partitions of the revered temple vandalised with graffiti “Hindustan Murdabad”.

Hindu Council of Australia’s Victoria chapter President Makrand Bhagwat instructed The Australia Today, “I can’t tell you how upset I am for witnessing Hindu temples being threatened for Khalistan propaganda…Targeting our temples is deplorable and should not be tolerated by the wider community.”

Following the assaults, the Indian High Commission issued a strongly-worded assertion on January 26.

“Signals that pro-Khalistan elements are stepping up their activities in Australia, actively aided and abetted by members of proscribed terrorist organisations such as the Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) and other inimical agencies from outside Australia, have been evident for some time,” stated the Indian High Commission’s assertion.

(With inputs from PTI)

Edited By:

Raajnandini Mukherjee

Published On:

Feb 24, 2023