The arrest of an Indian student in Australia in April made headlines in Haryana, at a time when the state was a focal point of the farmers' protests.
Vishal Jood was arrested for allegedly being involved in attacks on pro-Khalistan Sikhs based in Sydney earlier this year. Jood was sentenced to 12 months in prison in early September after he pleaded guilty to three charges. His supporters claimed Jood was attempting to protect the Indian flag from being desecrated by Khalistan supporters.
He was deported on October 16, according to reports.
Jood reached Haryana on Sunday. The Times of India reported a roadshow was organised in his native Karnal. "Amid dhol beats, members of Jood’s family, community, and his friends welcomed him, honouring him with garlands of flowers. The family members and youths claimed that it is a proud movement that Vishal returned back after serving jail for 'respect of the Tricolour'," The Times of India reported.
Jood was quoted by The Times of India as saying, "Some people from the particular group were behind this incident and I could not tolerate the insult of Tricolour following which the entire episode happened. I was framed in false cases."
Support for him
A number of BJP leaders, including Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, Kapil Mishra and Tajinder Pal Singh Bagga, had appealed for his release. In June, Khattar raised the matter of Jood's arrest with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar.
In June, Haryana's directorate of information, public relations and languages department tweeted "For the honour of the tricolour in Sydney, Haryana's young Vishal Jood fought firmly with anti-national forces and did not allow the tricolour to be insulted. There are also a lot of demonstrations taking place in Australia in support of Vishal. Vishal's supporters claim that some anti-national forces beat him up and later implicated him in a false case after which he was sent to jail."
There were protests in Karnal by members of the Ror community, to which Jood belongs.
On October 16, Australia’s Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs Alex Hawke announced that Jood had been deported. At the time of his arrest, Jood's visa had expired.
Hawke was quoted by India Link, a news outlet, as saying, "The man was an unlawful non-citizen at the time of his arrest. The [Scott] Morrison Government takes very seriously its responsibility to protect Australians from non-citizens who engage in criminal conduct. We will always act decisively to protect our community.”
Hawke added, "Attempts to undermine Australia’s social cohesion will not be tolerated. I am pleased that this unfortunate event has seen our resilient local Hindu and Sikh communities unite."
Reaction to roadshow
Bagga tweeted a video of Jood in the roadshow, captioning it as "Welcome Back Hero #VishalJood". Other supporters of rightwing groups also tweeted in support of Jood.
However, many Twitter users took offence to the welcome extended to him.
Ravinder Singh, CEO of NGO Khalsa Aid, termed the welcome for Jood a "huge insult to all Sikhs".
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Ravinder Singh tweeted on Monday, “This is #VishalJood ! He attacked Sikhs in #Australia ! He was charged and deported to India. He received a heroes welcome in India! It seems that those who attack Sikhs become heroes! This is a huge insult to all Sikhs & justice system! Absolute disgrace.”
Columnist Ashok Swain tweeted "This #VishalJood was arrested & then deported by Australian authorities to India for his hate attacks against Sikhs in Sydney. Australia’s Immigration Minister says Jood was undermining Australia’ social cohesion. But, he gets a hero’s welcome in India!"
