Nakul Shivani/ New Delhi

Cutting across party and religious lines prominent organisations and citizens of the country have strongly condemned the attack on Indians carrying the tricolor by pro-Khalistani elements in Australia last week.

Delhi Sikh Body leader, Manjeet Singh called the incident unfortunate and has blamed anti-India elements behind the attack. Speaking to Awazthevoice.in he said, “I think there is a ISI hand in this. They are bent upon creating divisions amongst Indians. This is an old game being played by the Pakistanis and we should not fall prey to it.”

He further added that the incident has had no impact on the Indian sikh community here in the country. “In India there is a large sikh population. They have not bothered to even take note of this incident.”

Shareeq Adeeb Ansari, the working president of the All India Pasmanda Muslim Mahaz strongly condemned the desecration of the Indian flag by anti-national elements in Australia. He said, "The India flag is a symbol of pride for each adn every citizen living in India and overseas." He fiurther appealed to the Australian government to deal with the incident in the "strongest possible ways so that such incidents are not repeated in future."

The attack in the Australian city of Melbourne took place on Sunday during a referendum organized by a secessionist group ‘Sikhs for Justice’ which has been banned by the Indian government under the UAPA. During the event, the organisers clashed with members of the Indian diaspora who were carrying the Indian flag and protesting against the divisive voices being raised at the event.

BJP leader, Manjinder Singh Sirsa took to social media to voice his strong opinion against the incident. He said, “I strongly codemn the anti-India activities by pro-Khalistanis in Australia. Anti-social elements are trying to disrupt the peace and harmony of the country with these activities, must be dealt with strongly and culprits must be brought to book.”

I strongly condemn anti India activities by pro Khalistani in Australia. Anti-social elements that are trying to disrupt the peace & harmony of the country with these activities, must be dealt with strongly and culprits must be brought to books.@ANI pic.twitter.com/xMMxNTQscc

— Manjinder Singh Sirsa (@mssirsa) January 29, 2023

Several videos of the incident went viral on social media. Sikhs were seen snatching the Indian flag and disrespecting it. The attack took place when some members of the Indian diaspora were hoisting the Indian tricolor.

Indians under attack in Melbourne Australia. A Khalistan referendum was organised today by SFJ at federation square of Melbourne.

Khalistanis brutally attacked Indians who were protesting against the rising khalistani elements in Australia pic.twitter.com/Ag5upC6zdn

— Megh Updates 🚨™ (@MeghUpdates) January 29, 2023

Senior Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi too raised his strong voice against the incident.

Deeply disturbed to see Sikh and Hindu communities clashing with each others in Melbourne.

Gives me an immense pain to see sons of mother India fighting over plot by Pakistan. Let's ensure that together we defeat the K2 (Kashmir+Khalistan) plan of Pakistan.

— Abhishek Singhvi (@DrAMSinghvi) January 30, 2023

BJP's national Spokesperson R P Singh asked the Australian authorities to act against these anit-India elements before they turn into a problem for the country. He alleged these protests are sponsored by the ISI of Pakistan. He wrote on Twitter:

I strongly condemn anti India activities by pro Khalistani elements sponsored by ISI in Australia. Radicals do this to grab media attention, but they don't have any support in Punjab, India. Australian Govt. should immediately nail such elements before they become prblm for them pic.twitter.com/9BalY0mVLw

— RP Singh National Spokesperson BJP (@rpsinghkhalsa) January 30, 2023

It is worth noting that the now more or less defunct Khalistani movement for a separate country for sikhs in the Punjab region is finding some lone voices in foreign countries. According to Manjeet Singh, “Sikhs have always fought for their rights irrespective of the government at the centre. But the use of anti-democratic means and forces is something the community condemns in one voice,” he said.

Iqbal Singh Lalpura, chairperson of the National Commission for Minorities called the incident “sad”. Speaking to Awazthevoice.in, he said, “This incident should not have happened. I strongly condemn it.”

Joining in the chorus of anger against the incident are young leaders of the muslim community. Former president of the Aligarh Muslim University Students Union, Dr Hasan Faizul Khan tweeted:

The way our tricolour has been insulted in Australia is totally intolerable!
I appeal to my government in India to put pressure on the Australian government to deal strictly with this. @AlboMP @narendramodi @IndiainAustria pic.twitter.com/hMmEk85Ody

— Dr. Faizul Hasan (@hasanfaizulkhan) January 30, 2023

The scuffle between the pro-khalistani elements and the Indian diaposra took place amidst the backdrop of reports that three Indian temples were vandalized in Australia and anti-graffiti scribbled on them.

The Indian High Commission in Australia said it strongly condemned the incident.

Press Release from @HCICanberra over vandalisation of three Hindu temples in Melbourne.@MEAIndia @dfat @ausgov @cgisydney @cgimelbourne @CGIPerth pic.twitter.com/uyMxzh1TQh

— India in Australia (@HCICanberra) January 26, 2023

The High Commission, further commenting on the referendum appealed to the Australian government not to allow its territory to be used for such nefarious activities.

ALSO READ: Who is a Muslim; Who is a Kafir? Shocking revelations of Pakistani Ulama