Federal Member for Leichhardt Warren Entsch has voiced concerns over human rights violations in India.
He has requested Foreign Minister Julie Bishop to address the issue of safety for 47 Sikh detainees held in custody in Punjab.
He considers these detainees as the social campaigners who are committed to raise awareness against anti-Sikh atrocities in India.
“I have made a representation to the Foreign Minister Julie Bishop but I haven’t been able to get any response yet," said Mr Entsch in an interview with SBS Punjabi.
“I have the list of detainees held in custody. I request the Indian government to release any Sikhs held without charge and ensure they are given full rights to legal and consular support.
Mr Entsch also demanded the release of British citizen Jagtar Singh Johal who is also one of the individuals arrested by the Police.
He mentioned that Mr Johal, also known as Jaggi, posted a website story about the mass killings and disappearances of thousands of Sikhs in 1984 before he was arrested.
While answering if he was aware of the police allegations or any charges that were laid against the detainees, Mr Entsch mentioned that ‘he is not’.
"The issue was brought to my notice by members of local Sikh community which prompted me to respond in this manner," he said.
“I haven’t had a chance to send the representation to Indian High Commission, although I will be sending a copy of to them.
“I have had dealings in the past with the Indian High Commission on a number of issues. I will make sure that they have a copy of the issue I am raising here.
“If I have the opportunity I will be urging them to release these Sikhs individuals because they are entitled to express their views.
Mr Entsch told SBS Punjabi that he has also requested the Foreign Minister Julie Bishop to monitor ongoing human rights violations against Sikhs, Christians and other minority groups in India.
Historically, Mr Entsch tabled a Sikh genocide recognition petition in the Australian Parliament in 2012.
While answering if anything has changed in the last five years ever since he tabled this petition, he said, “it doesn’t appear that any government or any sides of politics actually has a firm position on this matter [Sikh Genocide Recognition].”
“It has been recognised in places like Canada and I was hoping that as a country we can be quite progressive and do it here.
“I understand the political ramifications from the Indian government and I am sure they don’t want to be talking about it, reminded about it.
“But when you see forty seven young people taken off the streets in recent times because they dare to speak about it and raise awareness, shows that the government have clearly not learnt anything from the past.
