Latest news with #SwaminarayanTemple
Mint
a day ago
- Politics
- Mint
Indians confront Khalistan backers during Independence Day celebrations in Melbourne
Indian nationals confronted pro-Khalistan supporters during the 79th Independence Day celebrations at the Indian Embassy in Melbourne, Australia on Friday. As Indian community members in Melbourne gathered at the embassy to hoist the Indian national flag, a group of Khalistani supporters held a protest and attempted to disrupt the event. The incident was captured on camera, and the video is circulating on social media. To counter the Khalistani protest, Indian community members sang patriotic songs loudly. The development comes amid rising Khalistani activities in several parts of Australia. Recently, a Swaminarayan Temple in Melbourne and two Asian restaurants were defaced with hate graffiti. In a separate incident, a 23-year-old Indian man was attacked in Adelaide over a parking issue. In December 2024, a group of Khalistani sympathisers clashed with Indian cricket fans during the fourth Test match between India and Australia, and raised anti-India slogans. Earlier, Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar had urged countries such as Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia not to give space to Khalistani extremists. "These radical extremist ideologies aren't good for us, them, or our ties," he had said. Last week, the Punjab Police apprehended two people, including a juvenile, after pro-Khalistan slogans appeared at three locations in Amritsar city. US-based head of banned Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), Gurpatwant Singh Pannu, claimed responsibility for the act in a video on social media, the police had said. Amritsar Commissionerate Police cracked the graffiti case by arresting two accused persons, including a minor, within 24 hours, said Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav. Those arrested have been identified as Jashanpreet Singh (22), a resident of Dargabad village in Batala, and a 17-year-old boy, the DGP said. He said preliminary investigation revealed that both the arrested were in contact with foreign-based Shamsher Singh alias Shera Maan, who directed them to carry out the act on instructions from Pannu.
India.com
a day ago
- Politics
- India.com
Khalistani Group Causes Disruption As Indians Celebrate Independence Day In Australia
New Delhi: A gathering to commemorate India's 79th Independence Day outside the Consulate General in Melbourne, Australia, was disrupted by pro-Khalistani individuals. Indian nationals had assembled peacefully outside the consulate to mark the occasion when the event was reportedly interrupted by individuals waving Khalistani flags, as per reports. According to a report by The Australian Today, a video of the incident circulating online shows a verbal confrontation between the two groups. The separatist group was seen chanting pro-Khalistan slogans, while Indian attendees responded by singing patriotic songs in defiance. As per the reports, Australian authorities promptly arrived at the scene and successfully prevented the situation from escalating into a physical altercation. Despite the disruption, the Indian tricolour was later hoisted at the consulate amidst loud chants of 'Bharat Mata ki Jai' and 'Vande Mataram'. Members of the Indian community had gathered at the Indian Consulate in Melbourne on Friday to celebrate the South Asian nation's 79th Independence Day. However, the ceremony was marred by the presence of pro-Khalistani separatists. In a counter-response, the Indian attendees defended the celebration by raising their voices in patriotic songs. The noise created by the hecklers was eventually drowned out. At the time of reporting, the Consulate General of India in Melbourne had not issued an official statement regarding the incident. However, two hours prior, the official @cgimelbourne account on X posted that Consul General Dr Sushil Kumar had hoisted the Indian flag, joined by Hon. Brad Batin, MP, Cr. Pradeep Tiwari, Mayor of Maribyrnong, and members of the Indian diaspora. 'The morning was filled with patriotic fervour, soulful renditions of patriotic songs, and a shared commitment to strengthening the India–Australia bond,' the official account shared, along with a series of jubilant photographs from the event. Other Hateful Pro-Khalistani Incidents Advancing Anti-India Agenda This Independence Day disruption comes just weeks after the Swaminarayan Temple in Boronia, Australia, was reportedly vandalised. Hate-filled slurs were spray-painted across the building, including the message, 'Go home, brown.' Nearby Asian-owned restaurants were also defaced with disturbing graffiti, including an image of Adolf Hitler. Furthermore, Khalistani elements were accused of defacing the Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) temple in Greenwood, Indiana, USA. Reports indicate the vandals graffitiied anti-India and anti-Narendra Modi slogans on the temple's walls. BAPS Public Affairs confirmed that the latest incident marked the fourth instance of vandalism at the temple within the span of a year.
NDTV
a day ago
- Politics
- NDTV
Khalistani Group Causes Ruckus As Indians Celebrate Independence Day In Australia
Melbourne: An event marking India's 79th Independence Day outside the Consul General in Australia's Melbourne was disrupted by pro-Khalistani individuals. Indian nationals had gathered outside the consulate to peacefully celebrate Independence Day, when "goons" interrupted the event with Khalistani flags, according to a report by The Australia Today. A video of the incident circulating online shows a verbal altercation between the two groups. The separatist group raised pro-Khalistan slogans. In a counter-move, Indians defended their stance by singing patriotic songs. Per reports, Australian authorities reached the spot and prevented the situation from escalating into a physical confrontation. The tricolour was later hoisted at the consulate amid loud cheers of "Bharat Mata ki Jai" and "Vande Mataram". Pro-Khalistan Violence In Australia The Independence Day ruckus comes amid growing pro-Khalistan activities in Australia, with a worrying rise in targeted hate crimes. Last month, pro-Khalistan separatists defaced the Swaminarayan Temple in Australia's Boronia, where hateful slurs, including "Go home brown c**t were spray-painted over the establishment's wall. Additionally, nearby Asian-run restaurants were also defaced with a similar message and portrait of Adolf Hitler. Before that, a 23-year-old Indian origin man was assaulted in Adelaide over a parking dispute. India has urged countries like Canada, the UK, and Australia, where such incidents are on the rise, not to give space to Khalistani extremists. "These radical extremist ideologies aren't good for us, them, or our ties," Foreign Minister S Jaishankar had said earlier.
India Today
a day ago
- Politics
- India Today
Video: Indians confront Khalistanis trying to disrupt I-Day event in Melbourne
Attempts by a Khalistani group to disrupt Independence Day celebrations at the Indian consulate in Melbourne came a cropper as the community members sang patriotic songs to drown out the Friday, as the Indian community in Melbourne gathered at the consulate to hoist the tricolour, a group of Khalistani sympathisers held a protest and attempted to interrupt the celebrations. advertisementHowever, the protest failed to dampen the celebrations as the Indian community members sang patriotic songs, effectively drowning out the sloganeering by the Khalistanis. A video of the incident has gone viral. The tricolour was later hoisted amid loud cheers of "Bharat Mata ki Jai" and "Vande Mataram".GROWING KHALISTANI ACTIVITIES IN AUSTRALIAThe development comes amid growing Khalistani activities in multiple cities in Australia and a worrying rise in targeted hate the Swaminarayan Temple in Melbourne and two Asian restaurants were found defaced with hate graffiti. The incident happened days after a 23-year-old Indian man was assaulted in Adelaide over a parking year, in December, a group of pro-Khalistani supporters clashed with Indian cricket fans during the fourth test between India and incident happened when the Khalistani supporters barged into the stadium without tickets and raised anti-India External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had requested countries like Canada, the UK, and Australia not to give space to Khalistani extremists. "These radical extremist ideologies aren't good for us, them, or our ties," Jaishankar had said.- Ends
News18
a day ago
- Politics
- News18
Khalistani 'Goons' Create Ruckus In Australia, Disrupt Indian Independence Day Celebrations
Indians had gathered at the Consul General in Melbourne, when some pro-Khalistani separatists created a ruckus and disrupted proceedings. An event to commemorate India's 79th Independence Day outside the Consul General in Melbourne, Australia, was disrupted by pro-Khalistani individuals, who raised flags and created a ruckus outside the consulate premises. Indian nationals had peacefully gathered at the Consulate to celebrate India's Independence Day, when some Khalistani 'goons" created a ruckus and interrupted the celebrations, prompting law enforcement to intervene, according to The Australia Today. A video showed a fierce altercation between the two groups as police officers attempted to separate them from escalating into a physical confrontation. This came weeks after a Hindu temple in Melbourne was defaced with hate slurs painted in red graffiti. The Swaminarayan Temple in Australia's Boronia, was vandalised with hate-filled messages, which also appeared on two nearby Asian restaurants, according to reports. Makrand Bhagwat, chief of the Hindu Council of Australia, Victoria chapter, condemned the attack on the temple and said, 'Our temple is meant to be a sanctuary of peace, devotion and unity. Seeing it vandalised felt like an attack on our identity, our right to worship and freedom of religion". 'As a long-standing and consistent friend, Australia celebrates India's success," Albanese said, highlighting the strong relations between the two countries based on respect and friendship, and lauding the Indian-Australian community. Khalistani Attacks On Hindu Temples Meanwhile, a Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) temple was desecrated by pro-Khalistani separatists in the United States. The walls of the Hindu temple were vandalised with anti-India and anti-Modi graffiti, the Hindu American Foundation said, while urging the 'elected officials" to 'move beyond empty condemnations". 'For the 4th time in less than a year, a Hindu Mandir (temple) has been desecrated—this time the @BAPS Mandir in Greenwood, IN. Vandalizing temples with anti-India graffiti is a tactic often used by pro-Khalistan separatist activists—and a stark reminder of how slurring American Hindus as 'Hindutva" fuels hate like this. It's time elected officials move beyond empty condemnations and ensure perpetrators are held accountable," the Foundation captioned a post on X, in which they also shared the video of the vandalism. Earlier in March this year, an iconic Hindu temple in Southern California was desecrated with anti-Hindu and anti-Indian government graffiti. The California incident was condemned by the Ministry of External Affairs, which sought action against those responsible. Amid an increase in anti-India activities in foreign countries, India has repeatedly underscored the need to refrain from granting space to individuals advocating violence or legitimising terrorism under the guise of freedom of expression. Location : Australia First Published: August 15, 2025, 12:48 IST News world Khalistani 'Goons' Create Ruckus In Australia, Disrupt Indian Independence Day Celebrations Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
