On November 19 this yr, a Nagar Kirtan (often known as Humanity stroll) organised by way of the Indian-Australian group in Victoria’s capital Melbourne was once ‘hijacked’ by way of Khalistani supporters. Now, it has emerged {that a} member of the Australian Hard work Birthday party, the ruling birthday party each on the nationwide degree and likewise in Victoria, was once in the back of this.
The march, which was once meant to foster inter-faith team spirit, as a substitute witnessed the distribution of T-shirts, booklets and Khalistani flags. The person who was once on the helm of Khalistani propaganda that day was once Amritvir Singh, the chief committee member (unbiased) of the Victorian Sikh Gurdwaras Council (VSGC), who may be related to the Victoria Hard work Birthday party, the Victorian unit of Australian Hard work Birthday party.
It will have to be discussed that VSGC is an umbrella organisation, which represents 7 Sikh Gurudwaras in Victoria, and has been establishing Nagar Kirtans since 2019.
Extremists noticed marching with Khalistani flag all through Nagar Kirtan at Victoria, symbol by means of The Australia Nowadays
An reliable related to the Victorian Sikh Gurdwaras Council (VSGC) advised The Australia Nowadays, “Amritvir Singh was once the rationale Khalistan supporters may just come and distribute their booklets, T-shirts and flags within the Nagar Kirtan.”
“VSGC control committee was once notified by way of Amritvir Singh {that a} ‘crew’ with which he works intently needs to come back to Nagar Kirtan/Humanity stroll to garner toughen for Khalistan among Australian Sikhs,” the reliable added.
Whilst VGSC has distanced itself from the debate, Amritvir advised the Australian newspaper that he had left the verdict by the hands of the Committee whether or not to platform the Khalistani separatists.
Khalistanis from US, Canada sign up for Nagar Kirtan in Australia
In step with The Australia Nowadays, those that hijacked the Nagar Kirtan that day had been no bizarre males however participants of the banned terror outfit, Sikhs for Justice (SFJ).
Lots of them had flown in from the USA and Canada to take part within the tournament and run the ‘Khalistan referendum’ programme. Sikhs for Justice was once banned by way of the Indian govt on July 10, 2019, beneath the Illegal Actions (Prevention) Act for anti-India actions on July 10, 2019.
India declared the founding father of Sikhs for Justice, Gurpatwant Singh Pannu, a terrorist, in July 2020. In the similar month, 40 internet sites of SFJ had been blocked by way of the Indian govt. SFJ had attempted to trap Punjab’s formative years for Referendum 2020 and create unrest within the area.
Sikhs for Justice are banned in India. Regardless of the denials about SFJ working in Australia, those handles at the moment are taking possession. %.twitter.com/usYd0F3XGE
— 𑆩𑆳𑆬𑆴𑆤𑆵 Sarah L Gates (@SarahLGates1) November 19, 2022
Amritvir Singh claimed that the VSGC control committee allowed the Khalistanis to carry their demonstrations. “I’ve a operating courting with Miri Piri Gurudwara in Melbourne’s west. I gained a decision from them that they wish to communicate concerning the scenario in Punjab (India) at the degree,” he stated.
“As mentioned with you and your crew we will handiest permit protest in the back of Nagar Kirtan,” he quoted a VSGC member as announcing.
Response of the locals in Victoria
Whilst talking concerning the subject to The Australia Nowadays, a 71-year-old Melbourne resident Sukhjeet Kaur stated, “Simply once I idea it’s the most productive time to be in Melbourne with flourishing Gurdwara and Nagar Kirtan on the centre of the town, those Khalistan supporters are destroying it.”
She knowledgeable, “I believed we’ve got left the darkish recollections of Khalistani terrorism in the back of us however on Saturday I felt like I’m again to these unpleasant days. A bit kid whose grandfather was once killed by way of Khalistani terrorists is given the Khalistan flag, it’s the greatest torture of my lifestyles.”
Amritvir Singh and his affiliation with the Australian Labour Birthday party
Amritvir Singh, a resident of southeast Melbourne, has excellent connections with the ruling Australian Labour Birthday party (ALP) in Victoria. He advised The Australia Nowadays that he advises the Victorian Sikh Gurdwaras Council on govt family members plans and formative years affairs. It’s notable that ALP chief Anthony Albanese changed into the high minister of Australia in Would possibly this yr after the left-wing birthday party gained the elections. In a similar way, the birthday party additionally leads the state govt in Victoria.
Till mid-2020, Amritvir labored as electoral body of workers in ALP MP Bruce Jullian Hill’s place of job. In step with his Linkedin profile, he labored as an election marketing campaign co-ordinator of the birthday party between September and December 2018.
Screengrab of the LinkedIn profile of Amritvir Singh
Since July this yr, he has been serving as a Analysis Officer of the birthday party in Docklands in Victoria. The similar Amritvir Singh was once noticed marching with a Khalistani flag on the Nagar Kirtan held ultimate month.
Final month, he was once noticed managing the sales space for Victorian Legislative Meeting member Pauline Richards. Curiously, the Nagar Kirtan was once funded by way of Victoria’s Division of Households, Equity and Housing. Victorian Minister for Office Protection (Ingrid Stitt), and Victorian Emergency Control Commissioner (Andrew Crisp) additionally attended the development.
Amritvir Singh campaigning for Victorian PM Pauline Richards
Amritvir has been unabashed about his company toughen for the Khalistan motion. “I toughen Khalistan, I toughen Sikh brothers requesting self determinations that’s why I toughen ‘Sikh for Justice’s procedure for a referendum,” he was once quoted as announcing.
India expresses fear, Australia begins probe
It’s notable that India has already taken notice of the Khalistan flags and banners within the Melbourne tournament, and the Indian govt has already warned the Australian govt about the upward push of Khalistani parts within the nation. Reportedly, all through a up to date assembly with Australian International Minister Penny Wong and House Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil, Indian govt officers expressed fear over expanding toughen for the Khalistan motion, particularly within the Indian group in Melbourne. Indian officers advised the Australian government that the Indian government was once frightened that native Khalistan motion leaders had been recruiting impressionable Indian Sikhs in Australia “who don’t know what they’re entering”.
India additionally advised Australia that the Khalistan motion had ties to proscribed terrorist organisations with a historical past of violent terrorism and numerous violence prior to now. Subsequently, if their rising affect isn’t checked, there’s a risk of communal disharmony and regulation and order issues.
After the worry expressed by way of India, the Australian govt has began to research the subject, and the officers are reportedly investigating whether or not overseas nationals with a historical past of violence have entered the rustic and joined the Khalistan motion. The Australia Nowadays additionally printed that the Division of House Affairs is inspecting the visa prerequisites of a few Khalistani in another country gamers who’re actively enthusiastic about a proposed Khalistan referendum to be held in Melbourne.
