Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi calls on Anthony Albanese to combat Sikh separatist attacks on temples in Australia
Story by By South Asia correspondent Avani Dias, foreign affairs reporter Stephen Dziedzic, and Som Patidar in New Delhi • 8h ago
India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged Australia to protect Hindu temples after several were vandalised by supporters of a Sikh separatist group seeking to form an independent state.
The comments were the only public sign of tension between the countries during Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's tour of India, which has been heavily amplifying the deepening relationship between the nations.
"It is matter of regret that there have been regular reports of attacks on temples in recent weeks in Australia," Mr Modi said at a joint press conference while standing next to Mr Albanese.
"Naturally these reports of temple attacks concern us all Indians. It is depressing for our hearts," he said.
"I shared our sentiments and concerns over the issue to Prime Minister Albanese and he assured me that the safety of the Indian community is a special priority for him."
Australia has become a staging point for the Khalistan movement, which seeks to create an independent state for Sikhs in northern India's Punjab region.
Pro-Khalistan Sikh activists have migrated to Australia, where temples have been defaced with anti-Hindu graffiti and brawls have broken out between the religious communities.
Attacks on Hindu temples in Melbourne
In January, three temples in Melbourne were targeted in the lead-up to a vote by Sikh Victorians in a non-binding referendum on the independent state, which led to a protest by members of pro-India groups at Federation Square.
Police deployed pepper spray during a small brawl between the rival groups at the protest.
US-based group Sikhs for Justice has been holding the referendums in countries with high Sikh populations, like Canada and Australia.
Australia's Sikh population has grown substantially in recent years, with the number of Sikhs in the country rising nearly 60 per cent between 2016 and 2021.
The Indian High Commission in Canberra has also been pressing Australian officials to stop the referenda from going ahead, arguing that pro-Khalistan groups have been stoking religious hatred and threatening India's territorial sovereignty.
That's forced Australian officials and politicians to walk a fine line, defending the rights of Khalistan supporters to hold protests and political gatherings, while stressing that Australia will not tolerate any violence or incitement of religious hatred.
During Mr Albanese's tour this week, Australia's High Commissioner to India, Barry O'Farrell, also stressed that the "so-called referendum" has no legal standing.
But pro-Khalistan activists say the main goal is to assess the demand for a separate state within India among the migrant Sikh population.
Story by By South Asia correspondent Avani Dias, foreign affairs reporter Stephen Dziedzic, and Som Patidar in New Delhi • 8h ago
India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged Australia to protect Hindu temples after several were vandalised by supporters of a Sikh separatist group seeking to form an independent state.
The comments were the only public sign of tension between the countries during Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's tour of India, which has been heavily amplifying the deepening relationship between the nations.
"It is matter of regret that there have been regular reports of attacks on temples in recent weeks in Australia," Mr Modi said at a joint press conference while standing next to Mr Albanese.
"Naturally these reports of temple attacks concern us all Indians. It is depressing for our hearts," he said.
"I shared our sentiments and concerns over the issue to Prime Minister Albanese and he assured me that the safety of the Indian community is a special priority for him."
Australia has become a staging point for the Khalistan movement, which seeks to create an independent state for Sikhs in northern India's Punjab region.
Pro-Khalistan Sikh activists have migrated to Australia, where temples have been defaced with anti-Hindu graffiti and brawls have broken out between the religious communities.
Attacks on Hindu temples in Melbourne
In January, three temples in Melbourne were targeted in the lead-up to a vote by Sikh Victorians in a non-binding referendum on the independent state, which led to a protest by members of pro-India groups at Federation Square.
Police deployed pepper spray during a small brawl between the rival groups at the protest.
US-based group Sikhs for Justice has been holding the referendums in countries with high Sikh populations, like Canada and Australia.
Australia's Sikh population has grown substantially in recent years, with the number of Sikhs in the country rising nearly 60 per cent between 2016 and 2021.
The Indian High Commission in Canberra has also been pressing Australian officials to stop the referenda from going ahead, arguing that pro-Khalistan groups have been stoking religious hatred and threatening India's territorial sovereignty.
That's forced Australian officials and politicians to walk a fine line, defending the rights of Khalistan supporters to hold protests and political gatherings, while stressing that Australia will not tolerate any violence or incitement of religious hatred.
During Mr Albanese's tour this week, Australia's High Commissioner to India, Barry O'Farrell, also stressed that the "so-called referendum" has no legal standing.
But pro-Khalistan activists say the main goal is to assess the demand for a separate state within India among the migrant Sikh population.
3 yr. ago
