Melbourne: A referendum for an “Independent Sikh country” was held in Melbourne on Sunday, where a scuffle broke out between Pro-India and separatist Sikhs.
As thousands of Sikhs gathered at Federation Square to cast their votes, at around 4.30 pm, a group of Pro-India supporters, waving India’s national flag ‘Tiranga’, reached there and chanted ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’.
After this, some Sikhs who came to vote got into a scuffle with them.
The police, who were present at the spot, sprayed black pepper on five people from both sides and separated them and took two with them in handcuffs.
The scuffle took place at 12:45 pm even before the start of the voting process, the police said in a statement. The police then arrested a 34-year-old and a 39-year-old man and issued a fine notice for creating a ruckus.
Two persons were injured in the clash, one of whom sustained injuries on the head and the other on his hand. Many Sikhs gathered on Sunday said their religion was not respected in India after the partition of the country in 1947 and Punjab was divided between India and Pakistan.
A protestor from Melbourne south-eastern suburb, said he and his family will return to India immediately and permanently if declared an Independent Sikh country.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Manjinder Singh Sirsa has condemned the anti-India activities by Khalistani supporters in Australia.