Police in Australia’s Victoria state arrested two men on Sunday after a scuffle broke out between rival protestors in Melbourne. The incident took place after more than 55,000 Sikh citizens voted in a non-binding referendum on the creation of an independent Sikh state.
Overview
Police used pepper spray to break up the scuffle, which broke out at 4:30 p.m. after a rival group of pro-India supporters arrived at the voting site in Federation Square and waved national flags. Five people across both sides were pepper-sprayed, while one man was spotted being handcuffed and led away by the police.
The incident also led to the arrest of two other men — a 34-year-old and a 39-year-old — both of whom were issued a penalty notice for riotous behaviour.
It was a privilege to call on Premier of Victoria @DanielAndrewsMP today. Discussed our strong and growing bilateral relationship, the violence in Melbourne yesterday, and how to stop extremist Khalistani groups engaging in further activities prejudicial to peace and harmony. pic.twitter.com/BSA9xlGNX6
— Manpreet Vohra (@VohraManpreet) January 30, 2023
Moreover, two were reported to have been injured at the demonstration — one with a head laceration and the other with a hand injury. Victorian Police are continuing to investigate the injuries.
Khalistan Movement
In the Sunday referendum, voters were asked to answer ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to the question, “Should Indian-governed Punjab be an independent country?”
The non-binding referendum was organised by Sikhs for Justice, a US-based group that has proposed the formation of a new state called Khalistan, which would comprise the Punjab region of northern India, including parts of Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Rajasthan.
The group, which is banned in India, has already held this referendum in other countries with large Sikh populations, such as Canada, Switzerland, Italy, and the UK, to pressurise the UN into recognising a sovereign Sikh state.
Simmering Tensions
Tensions among Australia’s large and growing Indian diaspora have been rising, as the campaign by local secessionists has intensified.
In recent weeks, there has been a series of graffiti attacks on at least three Hindu temples across Melbourne.
Paid respects today at the sacred BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Melbourne, a place of spirituality and service. Discussed the peaceful community's concerns over recent attack by vandals, and the disturbing violence witnessed yesterday in Melbourne.@HCICanberra @cgimelbourne pic.twitter.com/kthxa5oJ7d
— Manpreet Vohra (@VohraManpreet) January 30, 2023
Last Monday, temple management of the ISKCON Hare Krishna Temple in Albert Park discovered graffiti on its front wall, saying “Hindustan Murdabad” (Death to India) and “Khalistan Zindabad” (Long live the Sikh homeland).
The Hindu Council of Australia condemned the incident, calling it a “cowardly act” that was “unacceptable in the strong multicultural Australia where every religion is respected, and communities live in peace and harmony.”
Global Attacks
The tensions are not limited to Australia.
Last September, India said it was closely monitoring attacks against Hindus and Hindu temples in Canada and looking into various options to send a strong message to Canadian authorities against the Khalistan Referendum in Brampton.
The Swaminarayan Mandir in Brampton was defaced on 13 September by Canadian Khalistani extremists, who vandalised the temple with anti-India graffiti. The Indian High Commission condemned the incident and called for urgent action against the perpetrators.
The UK has also reported a series of similar incidents in recent months.