National Hero: Haryana man who protected Indian flag from Khalistanis in Australia to be released

• Indian patriot Vishal Jood was falsely accused by Anti-Indian elements in Australia.
• Indians unite together for Vishal in Australia who was protecting the Indian flag.
• Today, 8 Charges on him were withdrawn, and he is to be released on 15th October.

Magistrate K Thomson’s Parramatta LC Court 13 on Thursday, ordered the release of Indian nationalist Vishal Jood, who protected the Indian flag in a row with Khalistanis in Australia. He was sentenced to jail in Australia, on April 16, 2021. Today, the NSW’s Department of Public Prosecutor withdrew eight charges, falsely accused on him, as he appeared before Magistrate David Price at Parramatta Local Court.

As per the reports, Police had initially reprimanded 10 charges on Vishal. According to the final reports, Vishal was pleaded guilty to only three minor charges of altercations that happened between September 16, 2020, to February 14, 2021.

During the final hearing, Vishal’s lawyer presented video evidence to prove that Jood was provoked by a group of Khalistanis that triggered the row. Jood was sentenced to six months in Jail per his charges, starting from the day of his arrest, April 16, 2021. He will be released on October 15, 2021.

Read more: EAM vows to get Indian patriot released from Australian jail

Indian patriot against Anti-National elements: The Controversy

Vishal Jood comes from the state of Haryana, currently pursuing higher studies in Australia. Reports suggest that he was picked by the Australian Police after a group of Indian nationalists rebelled against Khalistan elements in Australia. 

Interestingly, in all three cases, Khalistanis were termed as victims however, they triggered the issue. The fight started after a Khalistani, started posting pro-Khalistani and anti-India content on TikTok.

Vishal’s counsel showed a video to the court of a Farmers Rally at Quakers Hill in Sydney in December 2020. The video showed Vishal unfurling and taking pride in the Indian flag Tiranga, following by over a dozen goons surrounding him and assaulting him. The crowd was chanting “Modi Murdabad” and ”Modi Kutta”. Vishal along with other people started protesting against the same and started shouting “Modi zindabad” and “Hindustan zindabad”, which eventually led to a brawl between the two sides.

Read more: Support grows for jailed Indian nationalist who took on Khalistanis in Australia

Seems like the protests led by rich farmers and their intermediaries, instigated by Khalistani elements, had reached Australia too. Following this rally, Vishal received numerous threats on social media from anti-India elements. The Khalistanis have tried to attack him multiple times by breaking into his house and attacking his car. 

Although, The DPP initially submitted that the 16 September 2020 offence was motivated by prejudice against a group of people to which the offender believed the victim belonged (an aggravating factor under 21A(2(h) of the Crimes Act)

Jood’s counsel clarified that the Khalistani movement was not synonymous with the Sikh religion, they do not regard themselves as Indians. The Khalistan movement is an anti-India movement and not a religious movement. Further, based on the proof presented before the court, Vishal’s case did not comply to be motivated by a prejudice against or hatred for the Sikhs community.

Following his arrest, Vishal’s father quoted, “He should be free as early as possible, he tried to save India’s flag, he has done nothing wrong, but Khalistani people framed him.” Moreover, People from Haryana tweeted up a storm demanding Vishal Jood’s release. Even, Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar spoke to the External Affairs Minister S Jaishakar and apprised him about the situation of jailed Indian nationalist

Vishal had to take the burden of organizing a tricolour rally in support of India, which seemed to have upset and triggered the anti-nationalist Khalistani groups back in Australia. The incident sent shockwaves across the world, and the Indian diaspora across the world, including in Australia, condemned the incident. 

Justice will finally be served when our national hero will be released on 15th October.