Australian envoy to India visits temples vandalised in Melbourne

In the midst of rising tensions in Australia between members of the Indian community and supporters of Khalistan, a proposed sovereign nation for Sikhs, India’s high commissioner to Australia, Manpreet Vohra, visited temples vandalised by alleged Khalistan supporters on Monday in Melbourne, the country’s second-largest city.

Vohra prayed visited the city’s BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Temple and ISKCON Krishna Temple, two of the three locations where anti-India graffiti was purportedly painted by Khalistan supporters in recent days. He also met Daniel Andrews, the premier of Victoria, the capital of which is Melbourne.

The Indian high commissioner also discussed the attack on members of the Indian community by Khalistan supporters, which occurred on Sunday at Melbourne’s Federation Square during a ‘Khalistan referendum’ event.

On the other hand, five individuals were hospitalised after members of purported pro-Khalistani organisations attacked a throng holding the national flag in Melbourne, Australian Today reported. “Another video of #Khalistan goons running a mock in #Melbourne’s Federation Square Five injured one in Hospital,” Australia Today tweeted. Following the video’s virality, BJP leader Manjinder Singh Sirsa blasted pro-Khalistani “anti-India activities” in Australia.

“I strongly condemn anti-India activities by pro-Khalistani in Australia. Anti-social elements that are trying to disrupt the peace & harmony of the country with these activities, must be dealt with strongly and culprits must be brought to books,” he tweeted.

The Indians were seen running away to protect themselves from the attack while one individual threw an Indian flag on the ground.

Sarah L Gates, director of Hindu Human Rights Australasia, tweeted the video of a group of alleged pro-Khalistani supporters chasing a man who was carrying the Indian national flag.

“Khalistanis now sharing footage of a Khali mob approaching a lone Indian youth with Tiranga and assaulting them near Federation Square Khalistan Referendum. I hope @AusFedPolice will not turn a blind eye,” tweeted Gates.

One of them was seen charging towards the crowd with a sword.

According to an earlier report by Australia Today, Indians in Australia had told the Victoria Police that they planned a protest at Federation Square in Melbourne against the country’s escalating pro-Khalistan actions.