A video purportedly showing a confrontation between pro-Khalistan protesters and a BJP supporter over the ban on the Punjabi film Satluj during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent visit to Australia has surfaced on social media.
The authenticity of the video has not been verified.
The video was shared by Melbourne-based Sikh Jagvinder Virk, who identifies himself as a supporter of the BJP and Prime Minister Modi. According to Virk, the incident took place on July 9 as a group of pro-Khalistan protesters was heading to protest the Prime Minister's visit to Melbourne.
Virk claimed the protesters were demanding that the ban on Satluj, a film starring Diljit Dosanjh based on the life of Punjab human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra, be lifted. He also alleged that the protesters urged members of the Sikh community not to attend Modi's community event in Melbourne.
According to Virk, an argument broke out after he objected, with the protesters telling him that if he had access to the Prime Minister, he should seek the revocation of the film's ban.
The video purportedly shows some protesters raising pro-Khalistan slogans and making objectionable remarks against the Prime Minister. It also appears to show some protesters disrespecting the Indian national flag.
The verbal exchange continued for several minutes before Australian police and security personnel intervened and separated the two groups. According to the video, some protesters continued raising pro-Khalistan slogans after police arrived.
No official statement has been issued by local police regarding the incident.
Prime Minister Modi visited Australia from July 8 to 10 for the Third Australia-India Annual Leaders' Summit, during which the two countries announced agreements to strengthen cooperation in defence, trade, critical minerals, clean energy and uranium supplies for India's civil nuclear programme.
During the visit, Modi also addressed a community event at Melbourne's Marvel Stadium attended by around 25,000 people, where he described the Indian diaspora as a "living bridge" between India and Australia.