Khalistanis attempt to disrupt Independence Day celebrations in Melbourne

An event marking 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 on the consulate premises.

Indian nationals had gathered peacefully to celebrate Independence Day when some Khalistani “goons" interrupted the event, prompting law enforcement to intervene, according to The Australia Today.

A video showed a fierce altercation between the two groups as police officers tried to prevent the situation from escalating into a physical confrontation.

The incident comes weeks after a Hindu temple in Melbourne was defaced with hate slurs painted in red graffiti. The Swaminarayan Temple in Boronia was vandalised with hate-filled messages, which also appeared on two nearby Asian restaurants, reports said.

Makrand Bhagwat, chief of the Hindu Council of Australia, Victoria chapter, condemned the attack on the temple, saying, “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."