Group leaders have condemned the defacement of a Hindu temple in Melbourne’s northeast with anti-Indian graffiti.
BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir, a Hindu temple in Mill Park, issued a press release on Thursday saying their neighborhood was “deeply saddened” by the graffiti.
“BAPS Mandirs throughout Australia are symbols of a thriving multicultural society which nurture Australian values ​​of respect, mateship and tolerance,” the assertion mentioned.
“We’re deeply saddened by the anti-India graffiti on the gates of the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Mill Park, Melbourne, Australia by anti-social components.
“We’re grateful to the suitable authorities, together with the governments of Australia and India in addition to local people organizations, for his or her continued assist.”
Slogans written on the partitions included “Hindustan Murdabad” – translated as ‘all the way down to’ or ‘dying to’ India – and “Modi Hitler” – evaluating India’s prime minister to Adolf Hitler.
A Victoria Police spokeswoman confirmed police have been investigating studies of a graffiti incident on January 12.
“Police have been advised graffiti was written on the partitions and fence of a constructing on Heaths Highway within the early hours of the morning,” the spokeswoman mentioned.
“An investigation into the incident is ongoing.”
There was widespread condemnation of the vandalism from native political leaders and neighborhood organizations.
Mill Park MP Lily D’Ambrosio mentioned she had reached out to the temple to specific concern over the “assault”.
“I’ve had the consideration of visiting on many events and hope that the suitable authorities can establish these accountable and convey them to account,” she mentioned.
“There isn’t a place in our neighborhood for such assaults.”
Federal Liberal and shadow Lawyer-Basic Julian Leeser mentioned the graffiti represented a “strike on the very coronary heart of freedom of worship”.
“Whatever the religion neighborhood below assault we should have a zero tolerance strategy to such conduct,” he mentioned.
“This assault is a merciless blow coming because it does throughout a time of worldwide celebration of the centenary of HH Pramukh Swami Maharaj.”
Sri Durga Arts, Cultural and Academic Middle president Kulwant Rai Joshi referred to as on Victorian authorities to take “sturdy motion” in opposition to the perpetrators.
“This vandalism occasion is a matter of deep concern for Melbourne’s peaceable Hindu neighborhood and have to be strongly condemned” he mentioned.
“We request an in depth investigation on this matter and corrective motion taken to manage the final improve in incidents of hate crimes in opposition to the Hindu neighborhood in Victoria.”
