Overview

• A small group of pro-Khalistan supporters raised Khalistan flags outside the Consulate General of India in Melbourne, triggering a tense verbal confrontation during the 79th Independence Day ceremony.
• Australian police intervened to separate the protesters and attendees, preventing the clash from escalating into physical violence.
• Members of the Indian diaspora countered the disruption by singing patriotic songs and supported Consul General Dr. Sushil Kumar in hoisting the Tricolour.
• Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar and other Indian officials have urged Australia, Canada and the UK to restrict Khalistan extremist activity following a series of related incidents.
• Reporting on the disruption relies mainly on a video circulated by Australia Today and social media, with some outlets noting they could not verify all footage independently.