Hindu temple in Australia defaced with anti-India graffiti by Khalistan supporters: Report

A Hindu temple was vandalised by Khalistan supporters in Australia’s Melbourne, stories stated. The temple was defaced with anti-India graffiti “Hindu-stan murdabad”.

New Delhi,UPDATED: Jan 12, 2023 13:07 IST

BAPS Swaminarayan temple in Australia was attacked by Khalistan supporters (Photo: BAPS web site)

By India Today Web Desk: A Hindu temple, BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir, in Australia’s Melbourne was allegedly attacked by Khalistan supporters and defaced with anti-India graffiti, The Australia Today stated in a report.

The partitions of the distinguished Swaminarayan temple in Melbourne’s northern suburb of Mill Park had been painted with “Hindustan Murdabad” which implies down with India, the report stated.

Condemning the assault, BAPS Swaminarayan temple stated, “We are deeply saddened and shocked by these acts of vandalism and hate. We offer our prayers for peace and harmony and will provide a fuller statement in due course.” (sic).

The report also suggests that the Khalistan group also heaped praise on an Indian terrorist, Jarnail Singh Bhindrawale, a widely perceived supporter of the creation of a proposed Sikh majority state of Khalistan. He was killed by the Army during Operation Bluestar.

“This vandalism is deeply distressing for Victoria’s peaceful Hindu community, especially at this holy time,” Evan Mulholland, Liberal MP for the Northern Metropolitan Region was quoted by The Australia Today as saying.

COMPLAINT LODGED

Amit Sarwal, a journalist, told India Today, “The Hindu community in Melbourne has lodged a formal complaint with the police and MPs. The cultural minister also belongs to the same place where the incident took place.This has been going on since last year. Kerala Hindu association has also condemned the incident.”

“There were messages against Prime Minister Narendra Modi painted on the walls of the temple. Several Indian and Sikh leaders are distressed by this whole incident.”

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“When I reached the temple today morning, all walls were coloured with graffiti of Khalistani hatred towards Hindus,” a neighborhood informed Australia Today.

Hindu Council of Australia’s Victoria state President Makrand Bhagwat stated, “Any kind of hatred and vandalism against places of worship is not acceptable and we condemn it.”

“And this sort of exercise is in violation of the racial and non secular tolerance act of Victoria. We demand Victoria Police and Premier Dan Andrews to take sturdy motion towards the perpetrators,” he added.

Vishva Hindu Parishad of Australia additionally slammed the targetted assaults and strongly condemned the act.

In September final yr, BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir in Canada was defaced by ‘Canadian Khalistani extremists’ with anti-India graffiti. India strongly condemned the defacing of Hindu temple in Canada and referred to as for strict motion towards the perpetrators.

ALSO READ | Hindu temple in Canada defaced with anti-India graffiti, excessive fee requires sturdy motion

Published On:

Jan 12, 2023