An event marking India’s 79th Independence Day outside the Consul General in Australia’s Melbourne was disrupted by pro-Khalistani individuals.

In a display of patriotism and a message of national integration, two men–one from Rajasthan and the other from Gujarat–hoisted the national flag at the historic Ghanta Ghar in Srinagar’s Lal Chowk on Friday.

The BJP criticized Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge for not attending the Independence Day celebration at the Red Fort. Amit Malviya, BJP I-T cell chief, questioned Gandhi’s absence and commitment to national events, also noting his disoriented appearance at the Congress HQ. He further emphasized that such absence sends a poor message about his commitment to national occasions.