Vigils and protests were held in Melbourne and Sydney over the weekend to protest the suicide attack in Pulwama, Jammu and Kashmir, that left at least 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CrPF) personnel dead.
Members of the Indian community gathered outside the Victorian Parliament in Melbourne and in Blacktown in Sydney to peacefully protest against the attack and to show solidarity with families who lost their members in the attack.
Melbourne-based Karthik Arasu said the community had gathered for a peaceful protest to show solidarity with India in their darkest hour.
Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) soldiers' family members hold candles as they pay tribute to the killed CRPF personnel of the Pulwama attack Source: AAP
“The whole community including me is very sad and we are in anguish and pain over the cowardly terrorist attacks on Indian soldiers,” he told SBS Hindi.
“The least we can do is show our solidarity to our Indian brothers & sisters in this darkest hour.”
The Consul General of India in Melbourne, Mr Rakesh Malhotra too attended the event in Melbourne.
In Sydney, the Federation of Indian Associations of NSW (FIAN) organised a vigil in Blacktown which was attended by Damien Tudehope, MP for Epping and members of the Indian community.
Source: Supplied
“We stand with our Jawans (soldiers) today, tomorrow and forever,” the FIAN’s Yadu Singh said.
The Hindu Council of Australia has also denounced the attack and has organised a condolence meeting in Parramatta, Sydney on Tuesday.
Source: Supplied
“Hindu council of Australia joins the international community in strongly condemning yesterday’s Pulwama terrorist attack on CRPF Jawans in the Indian state of Jammu & Kashmir where more than 40 soldiers lost their lives. We send our heartfelt condolences to the families of the martyrs who laid their lives for serving their motherland.
“The entire Hindu community of Australia stands shoulder to shoulder with the families of the brave martyrs,” it said in a statement.
Jammu and Kashmir policemen stand near damaged vehicles during a protest against the terror attack that killed 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel Source: AAP Image/EPA/JAIPAL SINGH
Australian leaders condemn the Pulwama attack
Australia's political leaders have condemned the Pulwama attack and have conveyed their condolences.
"We convey our deepest condolences to the families of the victims, and all those injured. Our thoughts are with my friend Prime Minister @narendramodi and the Indian people," Prime Minister Scott Morrison tweeted on Friday.
Opposition Leader Bill Shorten said it was an atrocious attack.
"To the family and friends of the soldiers killed and injured - we send our deepest condolences, support, and hope for a timely recovery for the injured," he said in a statement.
"India and Australia are long term partners and friends and we stand with Prime Minister Modi and the Indian people in the fight against terrorism in all forms."
Australia updates its travel advisory for India
Following the attack, Australia has updated its travel advisory for India and have urged travellers to ‘exercise a huge degree of caution’.
“On 14 February a terrorist attack on the Jammu - Srinagar highway resulted in a number of fatalities and casualties.
“Reconsider your need to travel to the cities of Jammu and Srinagar.
“Anticipate heightened security and restriction of movement in the region.
“Follow the advice of local authorities (See Safety and security). We haven’t changed our level of our advice - ‘exercise a high degree of caution in India overall. Higher levels apply in some parts of the country,” the smartraveller website read.
