Indian envoy addresses temple vandalisation concerns in Australia

Indian High Commissioner to Australia Manpreet Vohra paid his respects at the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Melbourne, and discussed the community's concerns over the temple's recent vandalisation. The violence witnessed in Melbourne was also discussed.

"Paid respects today at the sacred BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Melbourne, a place of spirituality and service. Discussed the peaceful community's concerns over the recent attack by vandals, and the disturbing violence witnessed yesterday in Melbourne," the Indian High Commissioner to Australia said.

Earlier, BAPS Swaminarayan Temple in the Mill park area of Melbourne was allegedly vandalised by anti-India elements with anti-India slogans written on the walls of the temple, located in the suburb of Mill Park, The Australia Today reported.

Patel, an onlooker shared how he witnessed the vandalised walls of the temple when he visited the site on January 26.

"When I reached the temple today morning all walls were coloured with graffiti of Khalistani hatred towards Hindus," The Australia Today quoted Patel as saying.

He added, "I am angry, scared and dismayed by the blatant display of religious hatred towards the peaceful Hindu community by Khalistan supporters."

Issuing a statement to The Australia Today, BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir stated that they are "deeply saddened and shocked by these acts of vandalism and hate." It said that they have remained committed to "peaceful coexistence and dialogue to all faiths." BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir further said that they have informed the authorities regarding the incident, as per The Australia Today report.

Various Hindu temples have recently been vandalised in Australia.
India condemned the vandalization of Hindu temples in Australia and said that the matter has been raised with the Australian government in Canberra and asked for expeditious investigation against the perpetrators.

(ANI)