Communities in Melbourne witnessed a tense but poorly attended protest outside the Indian Consulate today, as self-styled Khalistani activists resorted to graphic imagery and desecration of the Indian flag in a bid to draw attention to their cause.
Fewer than 30 protesters gathered on St Kilda Road, far below the organisers’ expectations, echoing the “abysmal numbers” reported at a similar demonstration in July last year, The Australia Today.
Many held up large, gory photographs—purportedly depicting the recent terror attack on tourists in Pahalgam, while others stepped onto and tore the Indian flag (Tiranga) in scenes described by witnesses as deliberately provocative.
“I’m deeply shocked and angered by the use of graphic terror imagery and the desecration of the Indian flag here,” said Rohit Bansal, a project manager who works near the protest location.
“I came out for lunch and saw this drama, it’s very unfortunate in a country like Australia, these goons have so much hate towards India and its people.”
“These vulgar theatrics desecrate not only a national symbol but also the values of respect and pluralism that bind our diverse community together. No genuine political grievance can justify celebrating violence or trampling on the dignity of fellow Australians.”
For years, these same groups have cloaked their agenda in calls for independence, but masks came off today when their slogans and symbols shifted from secessionist rhetoric to outright praise for Pakistan.
Melbourne’s protest quickly revealed itself as little more than a proxy rally in support of Pakistan, timed to exploit outrage over the recent Pahalgam terror attack. Several protesters chanted “Pakistan Zindabad” (“Long live Pakistan”) as they waved flags beside gruesome images, an unmistakable signal that their true purpose was to amplify Pakistan’s narrative rather than advocate any Sikh cause.
By aligning themselves so openly with Pakistan, these fringe Khalistani thugs laid bare the foreign sponsorship underpinning their actions. The staging of graphic terror photographs and the tearing of the Indian Tiranga were less about solidarity and more about validating Pakistan’s extremist propaganda.
One Australia Today reporter noted that the crowd included men of South Asian appearance who community members speculated were “overseas-based actors” with links to Pakistan, though their precise affiliations could not be independently verified.
Jasmeet, who doesn’t want to share her family name, works in a nearby cafe.
She told The Australia Today, “As a Sikh, I find it heartbreaking to see extremists hijack our faith and identity for their own agenda.”
“Sikhism is founded on principles of justice, compassion and universal brotherhood—not hatred or division. These Pakistan-backed fringe elements do not represent our beliefs, and their actions only serve to undermine the positive contributions Sikhs make every day in Australia.”
A coordinator for Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), speaking on condition of anonymity, admitted the movement’s waning influence.
“I don’t know why, but since last year, we have not been getting support like before,” he told The Australia Today. His comment reflected the small turnout and muted energy of the demonstration.
Highly placed Indian official, also requesting anonymity, condemned the event as a “proxy stunt” orchestrated and funded by interests in Pakistan.
“We always knew that this whole protest drama is organised by proxies and is sponsored by Pakistan,” one official said.
“Their aim is to foment division, but it only underlines how unpopular their agenda is here.”
Victoria Police remained on standby but did not intervene, as the protest remained non-violent despite its inflammatory symbolism. No arrests were reported.
The demonstration underscores the challenges faced by fringe separatist campaigns in gaining traction among Australia’s Indian diaspora. Even as activists escalate tactics—displaying gruesome images and defiling national symbols—the broader community appears largely unmoved, reaffirming Melbourne’s reputation for multicultural harmony.
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