An event to mark India’s 79th Independence Day in Australia was disrupted on Friday after a group of pro-Khalistan supporters staged a protest outside the Indian Consulate in Melbourne.
According to The Australia Today, the protesters waved Khalistan flags as members of the Indian diaspora hoisted the tricolour and sang patriotic songs. A video of the incident, now circulating on social media, also shows a heated verbal exchange between the two groups. Local authorities later intervened to prevent the situation from escalating.
The incident comes amid a surge in pro-Khalistan activities across Australia. Just last month, the Swaminarayan temple in Melbourne and two Asian restaurants were vandalised with hate graffiti. One of the temple walls was defaced with an image of Adolf Hitler alongside a derogatory message.
A day earlier, an Indian man in Adelaide was assaulted in a suspected racially motivated attack following a parking dispute. In 2024, pro-Khalistan supporters also clashed with Indian cricket fans during the fourth Test match between India and Australia.
Beyond Australia, Indians have faced a series of hate crimes abroad. In Ireland, a six-year-old Indian girl was recently assaulted and hit in the private parts by a group of children. The attack sparked widespread outrage, with President Michael D Higgins condemning the act and calling for strict action against the perpetrators.