A local newspaper in Melbourne, Star Weekly reports that Indian-origin Melbourne resident Dilpreet Singh, who is fighting the upcoming council elections in Melbourne, is being investigated by Victoria Police for posting photos of his toddler holding firearms and ammunition.
The newspaper published photos shared by Mr. Singh on his Facebook around three years ago. The photos have since been deleted.
In his defence, Mr Singh told Star Weekly that these images have been ‘taken out of context’.
Source: Star Weekly
He has been quoted as saying to the newspaper that while he understood the images "could potentially" be offensive, the images were "culturally acceptable" and that he had a "valid explanation for this".
"I am from Sikh religion, which is a warrior's religion where Sikhs have sacrificed their lives for country," Mr Dilpreet said.
"Sikh regiment have won the highest Victoria Crosses per capita and fought in world wars, even along with Australian army while service with the British.
"So often, grandparents who serve in army create images like this to portray a token of honour, especially when the child is first-born into the next generation. This was the case in my family too."
Mr Singh also has been quoted saying that linking these images with terrorism was "an insult of tradition of my culture where there are countless examples of martyrs who lost lives to safeguard motherland".
"It is extremely disappointing that personal images have been used to drive a political agenda in a deliberate attempt to discredit me and my culture," Mr Singh said.
"It is shameful for someone to use such images and post them in such a way. It is an insult of those soldiers who have been fighting terrorism to defend the nation and my uncles were dreaming for my son to be a soldier one day."
Victoria Police spokeswoman Sharyn Darcy said police were making inquiries and it would not be commenting further at this stage.
