WATCH | What happened when Khalistani 'goons' interrupted Indian Independence Day celebrations in Melbourne?

A group of Indian-origin people celebrating their country's 79th Independence Day in Melbourne on Friday (local time) were rudely interrupted by a mob of Khalistani "goons".

Various members of the Indian community had gathered peacefully outside the office of the Consul General of India (Dr Sushil Kumar) in Melbourne, Australia. They had planned to sing patriotic songs and wave the tricolour flag.

However, they were interrupted by a mob of pro-Khalistani separatists, who heckled at those celebrating, chanted slogans and waved their own flags.

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Local authorities were immediately dispatched to the scene to protect the celebrating group as well as to prevent any physical altercations, as tensions between the two sides flared up, as per an Australia Today post on X.

To further counter the Khalistani protests, the Indians raised their voices while singing patriotic songs, soon drowning out the pro-Khalistani hecklers.

This is the latest in a series of anti-Indian hate incidents in Australia.

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Just last month, the Swaminarayan Temple in Melbourne's Boronia was defaced with graffiti—hateful messages printed below a crude image of Adolf Hitler—after which two Asian-run restaurants nearby faced the same fate.

"Our temple is meant to be a sanctuary of peace, devotion and unity. Seeing it vandalised felt like an attack on our identity, our right to worship and freedom of religion," said Makrand Bhagwat, the head of the Hindu Council of Australia’s Victoria chapter, as per another Australia Today report.

Meanwhile, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese extended his congratulations to India on its 79th Independence Day.

“As the Tiranga flies proudly around the world, Indians can reflect with joy on all their nation has achieved in the 78 years ... As a long-standing and consistent friend, Australia celebrates India’s success," Albanese said, highlighting the strong relations between the two countries and lauding the Indian-Australian community.