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Key Points
- ‘Khalistan referendum’ is a non-binding and non-governmental referendum.
- Sikhs gathered at the Federation Square in Melbourne to cast their votes in the referendum.
- Clashes erupted between Khalistani supporters and a group of people carrying Indian flags at the voting site on 29 January.
Confronting footage shows Khalistani supporters clashing with people waving the Indian tricolour outside Federation Square on 29 January, using flag poles as weapons.
“In both incidents, police quickly responded to separate and disperse the crowd, with police deploying OC spray during the second incident to separate the fighting men,” the police statement said.
Victoria Police (Representational image). Credit: Victoria Police
Police said two arrests were made as a result of each incident.
“And as it happens during big youth gatherings, they [Khalistan supporters] took this as a challenge and clashed with the other side,” Mr Bains said.
Sikh community representatives who voted in the ‘Khalistan referendum’. Credit: Supplied
Support for the campaign in Australia
The non-governmental referendum aims to seek a consensus among Sikhs to establish a separate homeland within India and to determine the extent of the demand for this separatist state that will be known as Khalistan (land of the pure).
Voters in the referendum were asked to answer a yes or no question: ‘Should Indian-governed Punjab be an independent country?’ Credit: Supplied
SFJ, an organisation that remains banned in India, aims to use the poll results to exert pressure on the United Nations and other international bodies to create a broader consensus for the creation of a separate state.
The SFJ has said they will be holding similar in other major Australian cities as well.
Melbourne’s Gurdarshan Singh from Dal Baba Bidhi Chand Ji Khalsa Shaouni in Plumpton said that while there are people against the campaign, anyone who believes in justice has lent support to the cause.
Every faith and community worldwide has the right to fight for their homeland and freedom. So, there’s no two ways about it.
Gurdarshan Singh
“We have been raising awareness for the campaign at the Sikh temple in Griffith. By casting their vote in the referendum, participants have shown their support towards this creation of a separate Sikh homeland,” he said.
Indian High Commission raises concerns
Sikhs in Melbourne stand in queues waiting their turn to cast votes in the referendum. Credit: Supplied
Meanwhile, Sunday’s clashes and the growing pro-Khalistan sentiment have drawn a strong reaction from the Consul General of India in Melbourne.
In a statement to SBS, the Consul General of India in Melbourne, Dr Sushil Kumar, condemned pro-Khalistan activities in Australia, which he said “threaten” the integrity and security of India.
Previously as well Khalistan activists protested outside the Indian Consulate on 26 January, where they became aggressive. We have taken up all these matters with the Australian government and would like peace to prevail.
Consul General of India in Melbourne, Dr Sushil Kumar
As the Foreign Minister has said previously, the Indian diaspora are valued and important contributors to our vibrant and resilient multicultural society.
Spokesperson, DFAT
Melbourne-based community leader and member of the Australian Multicultural Council Vasan Srinivasan said the ‘Khalistan referendum’ has nothing to do with Australia or any other nation outside India.
This needs to be handled in India rather than outside India because a majority of Sikhs are Indians who have settled abroad. They may not have such an intention to create Khalistan.
Vasan Srinivasan, member of the Australian Multicultural Council
He added that such “agitations and movements” can impact the image of the Indian community in Australia.
Another still from the video capturing the clashes outside Federation Square on Sunday. Credit: Supplied
Echoing similar sentiments, Makarand Bhagwat, a member of the Hindu Council of Australia, said those who want a separate state must fight for it in India.
Members of the Indian community have also started a petition urging the Victorian government to put an end to the referendum and pro-Khalistan activities in Melbourne, which has garnered over 7,800 signatures.
Background
Click on the audio icon to listen to the full report and interviews in Punjabi.
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