Sikh-Hindu tensions boil in Sydney over Kharistan separatist movement, Australian officials warn
Tensions are rising again between Australia’s Sikh and Hindu communities in the wake of a controversial vote aimed at building political support for India’s independent Sikh state.
Key Point:
- Two anti-Harristan protesters were arrested for carrying knives at the Haristan ‘referendum’ vote in Minchinbury on Sunday.
- Police are also investigating an alleged assault on a man who put a pro-Harristan sticker on his car.
- Recent outbreaks of violence are being closely monitored by both state and federal authorities
Some members of the Sikh community gathered at a construction site in Minchinbury, a western suburb of Sydney, on Sunday to hold the latest “referendum” in favor of establishing a new state called Kalistan in India’s Punjab region.
Kalistan supporters of the Sikh diaspora in several Western countries have held similar events to raise the profile of the movement, and have already held public “votes” (non-binding, legal votes) in both Melbourne and Brisbane. ) are being implemented.
The Indian government and some Indian community groups in Australia were outraged by the referendum, with supporters of the movement claiming it was carrying out a policy aimed at fanning hatred and apparently dividing India.
Some Indian politicians have accused Pakistan of funding a movement to destabilize its neighbor.
However, the groups conducting the referendum said Sikhs face increasing political repression and discrimination in India that they need their homeland and that holding the referendum would bring democracy to Australia. claims that it is only exercising its legal rights.
At Sunday’s poll in Minchinbury, dozens of protesters from Sydney’s Indian community, many of them wearing Indian flags, gathered outside the venue, chanting anti-Kalistan slogans, Tensions rose again.
Police separated the two groups, but a spokesman for the New South Wales Police told ABC that two of the anti-Harristan demonstrators had been arrested for knife possession.
“Two men, ages 23 and 24, were arrested and taken to Mount Druitt Police Station, both charged with storing knives in public, storing offensive tools in public, and They were charged with using an offensive weapon with intent to commit a prosecutable crime,” they said.
Videos posted on social media also showed clashes later in the day outside Harris Park, a major hub for the Indian-Australian community near Parramatta.
A Sikh group told ABC that a man with a pro-Haristan sticker on his car was attacked by verbally abusive men.
New South Wales Police also confirmed the attack in Harris Park, saying: “A 42-year-old man was in his car and was allegedly assaulted by a group of men before fleeing the scene.”
A police spokesman said: “The men do not know each other. Following a call, he was taken to Westmead Hospital where he is in stable condition.”
“Police have launched an investigation into the incident. As the investigation continues, police are urging anyone with dashcam footage or information to contact Parramatta Police or CrimeStoppers on 1800 333 000. .”
“We all need to respect each other”
Sikh groups supporting the Haristan referendum say their communities are being targeted and threatened by Indian nationalists.
In a statement, the Sovereign Sikh Association told ABC, “Prince’s evidence lies in investigating the incident itself.”
“It’s important to objectively assess which community members were involved in carrying weapons to inflict harm or throwing abuse at them,” the group said.
This is not the first time violence has broken out between some Sikhs and Hindus in Harris Park. Massive street brawl between two groups erupts in suburbs in 2020.
Recent outbreaks of violence are being closely monitored by both state and federal authorities.
A spokesman for New South Wales Minister for Multiculturalism Steve Kamper told ABC the recent arrests were “concerning”.
“The Minister for Multiculturalism and Multicultural New South Wales remains committed to ongoing dialogue with community leaders to mitigate risks to community harmony and reduce tensions,” they said. Stated.
“We all need to respect each other as Australians and respect the laws and democratic freedoms we all enjoy.”
A similar referendum event at Melbourne’s Federation Square in January was marred by violence, with several Kharistan supporters using flagpoles to attack Indian government supporters who responded to the protest vote. became.
Surinder Jain of the Hindu Council of Australia said he feared the Haristan vote was fueling divisions between community groups that have happily coexisted in Australia for decades.
“This is unnecessary tension being brought on by minorities.” [of Sikhs] People with certain political views,” he said.
“All of us from that country, [India] There is a view and it is not uniform. So bringing that issue here unnecessarily brings those differences to the fore. “
Jain also pointed out that at least five Hindu temples in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane have been demolished this year, with many spray-painted with anti-Indian and pro-Kalistan slogans.
Police have not identified culprits in most of these incidents, but Jain said the “desecration” of a Hindu temple appeared to have preceded the Haristan vote.
“We do not want violence in Australia, desecration of temples and places of worship, or harassment of people,” he said.
Jain also said the Hindu Council was actively discouraging members from going to Minchinbury to protest the Haristan event, citing the danger of rioting.
Several other Hindu community groups have also campaigned against the Haristan referendum, writing letters to venues in Sydney that were supposed to host the vote, urging them to cancel.
Blacktown City Council canceled reservations to vote at the sports facility last month. In a statement, the council said the decision was made for security reasons and not political.
The Masonic Center in central Sydney also canceled reservations from referendum organizers, saying the venue was not large enough to safely hold an event with thousands of people.
He also claimed that the decision was non-political and that he had no contact with any federal agency.
Impact on Australia-India relations
Community tensions are also having diplomatic and strategic implications for the Federal Government, which is concerned about how the Kharistan issue will complicate its increasingly important relationship with New Delhi. there is
During a visit to Sydney last month, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared that Prime Minister Anthony Albanese had agreed to take “severe action” against pro-Haristan “elements” in Australia. Modi also suggested that this would undermine the warm relationship between the two countries..
India’s foreign ministry secretary also said that the “relevant departments” of the two countries would exchange information on the Kharistan separatism and temple attacks so that “timely action can be taken.”
The remarks fueled suspicion among Kalistan supporters in Australia, with some publicly accusing the federal government of trying to stifle the vote to appease the Indian government.
Neither the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade nor the Australian Federal Police have directly responded to the accusations in an official statement, but a federal official with direct knowledge of the incident categorically denied it.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong has repeatedly promised to investigate any attacks on temples or acts of violence, but downplayed the importance of the Haristan referendum in Australia, stressing its lack of legal ramifications and significance.
A DFAT spokeswoman also stressed that Sikh groups have the right to hold non-violent political events and protests in Australia.
“Australia respects diversity and inclusion, respects the right of individuals to participate in peaceful protests and supports non-violent expression,” they said.
A spokesman for the Australian Federal Police said AFP had “productive relationships with Indian law enforcement” and “continues to expand information sharing and the provision of operational results”.
“When necessary, AFP regularly exchanges information and information with Indian law enforcement agencies.”
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https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-06-10/tensions-over-khalistan-separatist-movement-boil-over-in-sydney/102463024 Sikh-Hindu tensions boil in Sydney over Kharistan separatist movement, Australian officials warn
