Melbourne: According to a media report, the latest in a series of extremist actions against the Indian community, the Indian consulate in Brisbane, Australia, was targeted by Khalistan supporters who even raised the Khalistan flag at the building. The incident came days after external affairs minister S Jaishankar visited the country and emphasised the need for vigilance against “radical activities” targeting the Indian community in Australia.
The consulate allegedly came under attack on the evening of February 21. When Archana Singh, the Indian consul in Brisbane, arrived on February 22, the flag of Khalistan was still flying outside the building, according to the report. Singh immediately notified the Queensland police, which on arrival confiscated the flag and swept the consulate of India to clear of any immediate threat. “To keep us secure, police are monitoring the area. We have a lot of confidence in the cops," Singh told the media.
The incident comes following the vandalism of three Hindu temples in Australia by Khalistan supporters. On January 23, Iskcon temple in Melbourne found the walls of the building vandalised with anti-India graffiti. On January 16, the Shri Shiva Vishnu Temple in Victoria was vandalised in a similar manner and on January 12, the Swaminarayan temple in Melbourne was defaced with anti-India graffiti.
During their visits to Sydney and Melbourne on February 18, Jaishankar and his deputy V Muraleedharan brought up India's concerns regarding the situation. He talked about this matter with his Australian counterpart Penny Wong during their meeting.
