Sydney authorities scrap Khalistan propaganda event after Indian diaspora protest

The Blacktown City Council in western Sydney decided to cancel a propaganda referendum event of Sikhs For Justice which was proposed in the port city in New South Wales state of Australia after hundreds of complaints were lodged against controversial posters of the event, The Australia Today reported.

The programme was scheduled to be held at Blacktown Leisure Centre Stanhope but the booking has now been cancelled following inputs from security agencies, the report added citing confirmation from a spokesperson of the council.

“Council has, this morning, cancelled this booking as it is in conflict with adopted Council policy and due to risks to Council staff, Council assets and members of the public which cannot be practicably mitigated," the official was quoted as saying by the news outlet.

One of the posters on display in Sydney, Australia, showing a picture of slain Sikh militant leader Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale. (Picture: Australian Hindu Media Twitter account)

“Council’s decision is in no way an endorsement of, or criticism of, any political position relating to the internal affairs of India or Pakistan and must not be represented as support for any particular political position,” he added.

Members of the Indian community complained against posters of the event in which militant leaders such as slain Khalistan leader Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale were praised.

Arvind Gaur, one such person who complained about the posters, told The Australia Today that he received a response from council chief executive officer Kerry Robinson saying the unauthorised posters were being removed by the council's officials after seeking advice from New South Wales Police.

Responding on behalf of Blacktown mayor Tom Bleasdale, Robinson said in a statement released on Tuesday (9), “We are removing the banners and posters around the City placed on public property as these have been erected without our 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.”

According to The Australia Today, besides the New South Wales Police, bodies such as Australian Security Intelligence Operation, Australian Federal Police and the department of foreign affairs and trade were involved while the decision to withdraw permission for the propaganda event was taken.

The news outlet said an investigation was underway about "Sikhs For Justice Pty Ltd", which is registered in Victoria. One official close to the matter said that probe was on to understand any connection to unaccounted money trail.

The latest episode concerning pro-Khalistan activism took place just a week after the BAPS Swaminarayan Temple in Rosehill was vandalised by pro-Khalistan activists, triggering a widespread condemnation.

The incidents happened just days ahead of prime minister Narendra Modi's visit to Sydney for the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue involving India, Australia, Japan and the US on May 24.