- Saturday, March 01, 2025
The vandalism of the temple and the display of the controversial material related to Khalistan propaganda took place days ahead of prime minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Sydney for the Quad summit.
By: Shubham Ghosh
Just when the Indian diaspora in Sydney were trying to overcome the shock created by the act of vandalism caused at a BAPS Swaminarayan Temple in the city’s suburb Rosehill, a fresh menace related to pro-Khalistan activism left them annoyed with authorities.
According to The Australia Today, Ankur Patel, a resident of Sydney’s western suburb of Blacktown is upset because he had to see banners featuring Khalistan propaganda close to his shopping centre.
@blacktowncc respond's to Australian Hindu Association's complaint about the planned Sydney 'Khalistan Referendum' & offensive posters of terrorist – Bhindranwale illegally installed on public spaces. Posters being removed. Organisers did not disclose nature of event to council. pic.twitter.com/nh0hmGWXyz
— Australian Hindu Media (@austhindu) May 9, 2023
Speaking to the news outlet, an agitated Patel asked, “How can someone put posters and banners with pictures of terrorist Bindranwale. This can’t be tolerated in a civil society like Australia.”
@blacktowncc & @parracity have swung into action, with their Rangers swiftly removing scores of offensive posters advertising a 'Khalistan Referendum' in Sydney & depicting pictures of the slain militant – Jarnail Bhindranwale. pic.twitter.com/lszQpvCV5v
— Australian Hindu Media (@austhindu) May 9, 2023
Bhindranwale was a Sikh militant leader and leading figure of the Khalistan movement in India who was eliminated by the Indian forces during Operation Blue Star in June 1984.
The poster, named ‘The Last Battle’, speaks about ‘Khalistan Referendum’ and ‘to liberate Punjab from Indian occupation’ and also features the picture of General Shabeg Singh, a former Indian army officer who joined Bhindranwale after being dismissed just a day before his retirement. He was also killed during the operation in 1984.
Patel is not alone who got upset with materials allegedly promoting Khalistan propaganda on local streets.
Rupinder Kaur Singh (name changed on request), a dentist in Sydney, told The Australia Today that she could not explain to her daughters why posters of extremists were on display near their residence.
She also said that the banners were “clearly unauthorised” and when she called Blacktown city council, they told her that they were sending someone to remove the banners.
According to the news outlet, a number of residents under the council have made complaints about the propaganda material kept at their doorsteps showing pictures of Khalistan extremists.
Blacktown council’s chief executive officer Kerry Robinson issued an official statement on behalf of the mayor Tony Bleasdale in which he said that the council was removing the banners and posters around the city that were placed on public property. He said they have been erected without their approval.
“We have asked NSW Police to undertake a risk assessment of an event proposed to be held at Blacktown Leisure Centre Stanhope on 4 June by a Victorian-based organisation called Sikhs for Justice Pty Ltd,” he said in the statement.
“Police have access to intelligence and to other law enforcement and intelligence agencies that are not available to Council. We will act on the advice of the Police.
“We will also continue to work with our community to ensure all are able to safely celebrate their cultural identity.”
Last week, the BAPS Swaminarayan Temple in Sydney’s Rosehill suburb was vandalised. The act of targeting Hindu temples has been happening in a number of cities in Australia in the recent months but the latest incident in Sydney took place after a calm of almost two months.
Last Friday (5), temple management found the front gate of the temple vandalised with the graffiti “Declare Modi Terrorist (BBC)” and a Khalistan flag hanging on the gate.
Local (Parramatta area) parliamentarian Andrew Charlton Parramatta reached the temple and contributed in removing the anti-Hindu graffiti from the temple’s walls.
Earlier this week, minister for climate change and energy Chris Bowen said the the Australian parliament that the attack on the temple in Sydney was unacceptable and un-Australian.
“Our whole community stands with you and against intolerance and hatred,” Bowen was quoted as saying by The Australia Today.
The vandalism of the temple and the display of the controversial material related to Khalistan propaganda took place days ahead of prime minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Sydney for the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue leaders’ summit which is set to be held on May 24.
