Members of the Sikh community in Victoria protested against the alleged police brutality on a Sikh man who has since been revealed to have a number of criminal cases against him.
Protesters gathered outside the Indian Consulate General's Office at St Kilda Road in Melbourne on Friday and handed over a memorandum, demanding justice in this case.
“The Victorian Sikh Community is totally dismayed, shocked and particularly concerned about the brutality and inhuman behaviour of the Delhi Police,” the memorandum read.
“Sikhs are peace-loving community; however as noted from various reports an atmosphere of fear and shock has been created and exists against the minorities everywhere in India.”
Protesters were seen holding banners mentioning, ‘We need justice’, ‘We reject atrocities by Delhi Police’, and ‘Justice for Minority’.
Three policemen involved in the incident have been suspended and an inquiry into the violent clash in underway.
Last week, videos circulated on social media showed Sarabjit Singh - an auto driver- chasing a policeman with a sword in his hand. Another video showed a number of policemen beating him up with batons. Mr Singh's teenage son was also thrashed.
Police claimed Mr Singh attacked a policeman with a sword and injured him after his vehicle grazed a police vehicle.
“The [vehicle] hit a police van. An argument began when the driver of the police vehicle asked the driver of the vehicle to accompany him to the police station. [Mr Singh] responded by pulling out his sword and later attacking the policemen,” said Delhi Police spokesman Madhur Verma.
It has come to light that Mr Singh is already facing police investigation for allegedly causing 'grave injuries' to an employee of a Bangla Sahib Gurdwara in April this year. Two other police cases were registered against him in 2006 and 2011.
Gurdeep Singh Matharu, President, Victorian Sikh Gurduaras Council told SBS Punjabi the protest was organised to raise voice against the ‘frequent Police atrocities’ against minorities in India.
“We organised it to show solidarity with our Sikh brothers who were mercilessly beaten by Delhi police in a broad day-light incident,” Mr Singh said.
“It is shocking to see that it happened in front of hundreds of people but no one came to rescue them.”
“It is not a crime against one community but humanity. We Sikhs always pray for prosperity and blessings for every living being.
“His turban was given no respect…. These police officials not only kicked his head but the turban.”
“We strongly condemn this barbaric act and demand stringent criminal action against all the police officers involved in this incident.”
Case background:
Last week, photos and videos of a Sikh auto driver being beaten up by Delhi police went viral on social media.
The event sparked massive protests by the Sikh community in Delhi against the alleged police brutality.
The police alleged that the auto driver was ‘driving dangerously’.
"The alleged incident was followed by an accident caused by a Gramin Sewa tempo to a police vehicle. Thereafter, a police officer was also assaulted on the head by the tempo driver with a sword," a police statement read.
Police said that an inquiry is being conducted and three police officials have already been suspended from the services.
It is reported that Public Interest Litigation has also been filed in the High Court of Delhi and the Court has sought an interim report from the Police.
The Delhi High Court on Wednesday said that the incident was evidence of "police brutality" and how a uniformed force ought not to act.
"If this is not evidence of police brutality then what is?", asked a bench of justices Jayant Nath and Najmi Waziri.
VSGC has demanded a full investigation and the trial of this matter to be transferred to CBI, India.
The memorandum handed over to the Indian Consulate in Melbourne also demands that police should be given proper training through agencies of repute in respect of their everyday behaviour towards the general public and religious sensitivities.
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