Indian Community Foils Khalistani Protest At Independence Day Event In Australia's Melbourne

An attempt by a Khalistani group to interrupt Independence Day festivities at the Indian consulate in Melbourne, Australia failed after attendees countered the disruption with patriotic songs, overpowering the pro-Khalistan protesters, India Today reported.

During Friday’s flag-hoisting ceremony at the Indian consulate in Melbourne, a small group of Khalistani supporters staged a protest, seeking to disrupt the Independence Day event attended by members of the Indian diaspora.

The demonstrators’ chants were quickly overpowered as the Indian community sang patriotic songs in unison, ensuring the celebrations continued undisturbed and the protest’s impact was nullified.

A video of the incident has since gone viral online, showing the tricolour being raised to resounding cries of “Bharat Mata ki Jai” and “Vande Mataram” from the gathered crowd.

The episode adds to a pattern of increased Khalistani-linked activities across several Australian cities, accompanied by a concerning spike in targeted hate incidents.

Recently, Melbourne’s Swaminarayan Temple and two Asian eateries were vandalised with hate graffiti. This incident took place days after the assault of a 23-year-old Indian man in Adelaide stemming from a parking dispute.

In December last year, tensions flared when pro-Khalistani supporters confronted Indian cricket fans during the fourth Test match between India and Australia.

The confrontation began after the Khalistani supporters entered the stadium without tickets and chanted anti-India slogans, leading to scuffles with spectators.

Earlier, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had urged nations including Canada, the UK, and Australia to refrain from allowing Khalistani extremists a platform, warning that “These radical extremist ideologies aren’t good for us, them, or our ties.”

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