Khalistan supporters raise anti-Hindu & anti-India chants outside Indian Consulate [ Brisbane, Australia ]

[ Reported as seen ]

On 16 March, the supporters of the radical group, Khalistan, gathered outside the Honorary Indian Consulate in Australia’s Brisbane to chant anti-India and anti-Hindu slogans at the entrance of it. According to the Australian media, the consulate was forced to shut down for a short period after Khalistani supporters impeded entry into the consulate by yelling anti-Hindu slogans outside it.

However, the Ministry of External Affairs has denied it and said that the consulate continued to function normally. This comes days after the Australian Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese pledged to stop the spread of anti-Indian animosity in the nation.

“Indian Consulate was forced to close today due to safety concerns after Sikhs for Justice targeted them with their propaganda. They have been shouting Khalistan Zindabad slogans,” Sarah L. Gates, Director of Hindu Human Rights said.

According to the Queensland Police, it was an unauthorised gathering by the Khalistanis, but still, they were allowed to enter the consulate premises and block the entrance.

The Australia Today’s report said that people who had appointments with the consulate had to reschedule their appointments.

MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said that the issue was raised with Australian authorities, and they should take action. “PM already spoke about such issues when Australian PM was in India,” he further said.

Arindam Bagchi clarified that it is an honorary consulate of India located in Brisbane, and it is not a Consulate General of India. He also said that a small number of protestors had gathered outside it and chanted slogans for some time. Although, there were disruptions for a while, but the consulate was not shut down as claimed in media reports.