An event to mark India’s 79th Independence Day at the Indian Consulate in Melbourne was disrupted on Friday when a group of pro-Khalistan supporters gathered outside and shouted slogans. A video of the scene is circulating on social media and shows a loud verbal fight between the two sides. HT.com has not independently verified this video. As reported by The Australia Today, local police reached the spot quickly and stopped the situation from getting worse.
The disruption comes amid a clear rise in pro-Khalistan activity in Australia. Last month, the Swaminarayan temple in Melbourne’s Boronia suburb and two Asian restaurants were defaced with hate graffiti. One image showed Adolf Hitler with the message “Go Home Brown C***.” A day earlier, in Adelaide, an Indian man was attacked during a parking dispute; police are checking if it was a racist assault. In 2024, pro-Khalistan supporters also clashed with Indian cricket fans during the fourth Test match between India and Australia, adding to community tension.
Concerns are growing beyond Australia as well. In Ireland, Indians have faced several hate crimes and racist attacks. The most shocking recent case was the assault of a six-year-old Indian girl, who was hit in her private parts by a group of children. India called these acts deplorable. Ireland’s President Michael D. Higgins also condemned the attacks and asked for strict action against the people responsible.
This report is based on local media accounts and police updates available so far. Further details may emerge as authorities finish their inquiries.
