An event marking India’s 79th Independence Day in Australia was disrupted by a group of pro-Khalistan supporters on Friday. According to a report by The Australia Today, the incident took place outside the Indian consulate in Melbourne.
A video from the scene shows pro-Khalistan supporters waving the Khalistan flag in response to Indian community members hoisting the tricolour and singing patriotic songs. The footage also captures a verbal altercation between the two groups.
Local authorities arrived promptly and prevented the situation from escalating.
Growing Pro-Khalistan Activities in Australia
The disruption comes amid a rise in pro-Khalistan activities in Australia. Last month, the Swaminarayan temple in Melbourne and two Asian restaurants were vandalised with hate graffiti.
#BreakingNews – Disturbance outside the Consul General of India in Melbourne!
Khalistani ‘goons’ reportedly created a ruckus, disrupting the premises and raising tensions.
Indians had gathered to peacefully celebrate India’s 79th Independence Day, but the celebrations were… pic.twitter.com/rnjC0i6TT8
— The Australia Today (@TheAusToday) August 14, 2025
A day before the Melbourne incident, an Indian man in Adelaide was assaulted during a parking dispute, with authorities investigating it as a possible racially motivated attack. In 2024, pro-Khalistan supporters also clashed with Indian cricket fans during the fourth test match between India and Australia.
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Hate Crimes Against Indians Abroad
Hate crimes targeting Indians are not limited to Australia. In Ireland, a six-year-old Indian girl was assaulted by a group of children in an incident widely condemned as racially motivated. Irish President Michael D. Higgins has denounced such acts and called for strict action against the perpetrators.