Indians in Melbourne came out to support the decision to scrap Article 370 which had given the people of Kashmir the right to make their own laws.
People were chanting Bharat Mata Ki Jai (Victory to Mother India) and dancing to the tunes of patriotic Bollywood songs. Some had banners in their hands with slogans' J&K is our motherland, India is our nation' and 'celebrating united India' written over them.
'We are deeply thankful and indebted to Government of India which understood the necessity to pull the nationalists out of bondage and servitude of a fascist and fanatic dispensation symbolized through article 370,' reads a statement by the organizers.
"I have been grappling with this thing for the last two days. This feeling that, once again, as a Kashmiri, my identity is in flux. I was tethered to the "special status" for so long, that when Article 370 was revoked, it was all I could see," a protester said.
"We believe it will bring an end to terrorism in the valley. We have suffered a lot, and our community has taken the biggest toll because of this cross-border terrorism," said another protester who belongs to the Kashmiri Pandit community. Many of this community had to flee the region in 1989 fearing persecution by the extremists.
Anti-India protests in Sydney and Melbourne
However, other protests condemned the Indian government for its decision, with banners carrying slogans such as 'Stand by Kashmir' and 'Freedom for Kashmir.'
Dozens of protesters also gathered at Sydney's Martin Place to express their solidarity with Kashmiri people. Among them also were young Australians and former Greens Senator, Lee Rhiannon.
"India needs to ensure that the internet and the mobile phone use is restored and the journalists allowed in so that people can report of what is happening there," said Ms Rhiannon.
There are conflicting reports of the present situation in Indian-administered Kashmir which was stripped of its special status by the government of India bifurcating it in two union territories.
Situation in Jammu and Kashmir remains tense
The BBC reports thousands of people took to the streets in Srinagar after Friday prayers, in the largest demonstration since a lockdown was imposed in Indian-administered Kashmir.
"The BBC witnessed the police opening fire and using tear gas to disperse the crowd. Despite that, the Indian government has said the protest never took place," BBC reported.
However, J&K police have denied the reports saying no bullet has been fired in the valley.
"The report is wrong. No such incident has taken place in the valley. The valley has remained largely peaceful over the last one week," Inspector General of Police (Kashmir) Swayam Prakash said in a statement.
The BBC, however, says it stands by its reports.
Meanwhile, restrictions have been re-imposed in Kashmir before Eid celebrations prohibiting large gatherings. The restrictions were relaxed on Saturday, which was reportedly followed by sporadic clashes.
