Attack on Indians: ‘Saddened’ by scenes at Melbourne’s Fed Square, says Australian Envoy to India Barry O’ Farrell

Meanwhile, Indian High Commissioner for Australia Manpreet Vohra visited the Shri Shiva Vishnu Temple in Melbourne on Tuesday and condemned its “vandalization” by “pro-Khalistan elements”.

Australia’s High Commissioner for India Barry O’Farrell poses for photos during his visit to the Golden Temple in Amritsar (Photo by NARINDER NANU/AFP via Getty Images)

By: Melvin Samuel

Australia’s High Commissioner for India, Barry O’Farrell AO, said on Tuesday he was “sad” at the attack by the suspected pro-Khalistani group on Indians holding the tricolor in Melbourne’s Fed Square.

Referring to his official Twitter handle, he stated that Australia’s commitment to peaceful protest does not extend to violence. Barry O’Farrell AO’s statement comes after men from a suspected pro-Khalistani group attacked Indians carrying the national flag on Sunday.

Sad to see these scenes come so soon after Australia and India celebrate their respective national days of diversity and unity. Our commitment to peaceful protest does not extend to violence. @DrSJaishankar @MEAIndia @dfat @VohraManpreet @HCICanberra https://t.co/XX1OvbnJYC

— Barry O’Farrell AO (@AusHCIndia) January 31, 2023

In the tweet, he noted that the incident was reported shortly after both nations celebrated diversity and unity on their respective national holidays.

“Sad to see these scenes come so soon after Australia and India celebrate their respective national days of diversity and unity. Our commitment to peaceful protest does not extend to violence,” he wrote on Twitter.

Barry O’Farrell AO wrote in response to Australian Deputy Foreign Secretary Tim Watts saying he was “appalled” to see the violence in Melbourne’s Fed Square.

“I was appalled to see the violence in Melbourne’s Fed Square over the weekend. People have every right to take part in peaceful protests in Australia but there is no place for the violence or vandalism that we have seen in recent times. Pleased that @VictoriaPolice was quick to respond and are investigating,” Watts said in a tweet.

Earlier, The Australia Today reported on Twitter that “five people were taken to hospital following the attack”.

“Another video of thugs from #Khalistan showing a mockery at Federation Square Five in #Melbourne injured one in hospital,” it tweeted. The Indian group was seen running away from the scene while the Khalistani group continued to beat them. One person was seen breaking an Indian flag and throwing it on the ground.

Meanwhile, Indian High Commissioner for Australia Manpreet Vohra visited the Shri Shiva Vishnu Temple in Melbourne on Tuesday and condemned its “vandalization” by “pro-Khalistan elements”. He also said that “the place of worship has always been revered by all communities and faiths.”

Manpreet Vohra tweeted: “I visited the historic Shri Shiva Vishnu Temple in Melbourne, a place of worship traditionally revered by all communities and faiths. This makes his vandalism of hateful graffiti by pro-Khalistan elements even more reprehensible. Confident they will not succeed.”

(ANI)