A young Kiwi-Indian professional has told the police he "feels threatened and alarmed" after he was accosted for removing a poster in his neighbourhood that advertised an upcoming "Khalistan referendum" in New Zealand.
"Ye Wapas Do (give this back to me). Ye Kyun Kiya (why did you do this?)," Amol (name changed) was told on November 6 by a man who didn’t approve of his actions.
Amol saw the poster lodged on a grass patch near a busy roundabout in Lower Hutt, on his way back home from the office.
"I did not want people to see that poster," Amol told The Indian Weekender.
Khalistani separatist protests organised lately in the country have largely failed to draw any traction. A pro-Khalistan demonstration held in Auckland on November 2, 2024 turned out to be a near no-show, as almost all members of New Zealand's Sikh community reportedly showed no interest in the demonstration.
A series of posts circulating in the Indian diaspora and social media groups show photos of vehicles in the country bearing the referendum poster.
Recalling the moments after he spotted the poster near his home in Lower Hutt, Amol says, "After reaching home, I decided to go back again and remove the poster."
He says he removed the poster and wanted to put it away. Before Amol could look for a spot to place the poster, a young man abruptly swerved his car in front of him, got out, and told him to return the poster.
Amol says he felt as if he was being watched, or that the poster was "guarded", as it took only a minute for the man to appear.
Amol claims he did not argue or engage with the young man, as he thought it would escalate things.
"Shortly after, the man took the poster and probably recorded a video of my face, speaking something into his phone," Amol recalled.
Amol then took a photo of the man’s car and told him he would call the police. "Kar Call. Kuch Nahi Hoga (Go ahead, call. Nothing will happen)," the man allegedly responded.
The police were informed, and a complaint was lodged, which officials have classified as "Behave Threateningly". A copy of the complaint is also with The Indian Weekender.
The Police told The Indian Weekender that initial enquiries are being made in the matter.
“The victim is being supported while enquiries are carried out”
After the incident, Amol says he “alerted neighbours and families,".
It was only after Amol said he shouted for help that the man left the spot with the poster.
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