A Hindu temple in Melbourne, Australia was vandalised allegedly by Khalistan supporters with slogans of “Modi Hitler”. The incident was reported from BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir in Melbourne’s northern suburb of Mill Park. According to a Times Now report, the act of vandalism was done keeping in mind the pro-Bhindranwale slogans. Along with slogan of “Modi Hitler”, the temple was also defaced with “Hindustan murdabad” slogan.
The incident comes months after another BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir in Canada was similarly vandalised. Back then it was also alleged that ‘Canadian Khalistani extremists’ were the culprits of the vandalism.
Earlier on January 11, the BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir in Melbourne was vandalised by Khalistani supporters. The supporters also wrote praises of extremist Bhindrawale, leader of Damdami Taksal. The vandaliser in Melbourne reportedly wrote praises of Bhindrawale and called him a ‘martyr’.
A Times Now report quoted a local giving an account of the incident and saying, “When I reached the temple today morning all walls were coloured with graffiti of Khalistani hatred towards Hindus. I am angry, scared and dismayed by the blatant display of religious hatred towards the peaceful Hindu community by Khalistan supporters.”
Meanwhile, the BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir issued a statement reading – “We have apprised the authorities and are cooperating fully with them.”
The Facts of the Matter
As religious polarisation continues to grow, another shocking case has surfaced where a Hindu temple in Australia was vandalised with slogans that read – “Modi Hitler” and “Hindustan Murdabad”.
According to reports, the concerning incident of vandalism took place in BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir located in Mill Park, Melbourne. As per reports, the miscreants are Khalistani supporters who committed the act of vandalism earlier on January 11.
Miscreants Call Bhindrawale a ‘Martyr’
Along with logans of “Modi Hitler”, and “Hindustan Murdabad”, the accused miscreants also wrote praises of extremist Bhindrawale, calling him a “martyr”.
For the unversed, Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale was an extremist and leader of Damdami Taksal. Back in 1982, his group had gone to the Golden Temple complex and had made a “parallel government” in Punjab. In 1984, Operation Blue Star was carried out by the Army to remove Bhindranwale, which resulted in the deaths of thousands of Hindus and Sikhs.
#Khalistan supporters damaged #Hindu #Temple in #Australia pic.twitter.com/Od3Mv2ogOH
— Fight Evil (@fight_evils) January 12, 2023
“Angry, scared and dismayed”: Local
A local was quoted in a Times Now report giving an account of the situation in Melbourne. “When I reached the temple today morning all walls were coloured with graffiti of Khalistani hatred towards Hindus. I am angry, scared and dismayed by the blatant display of religious hatred towards the peaceful Hindu community by Khalistan supporters,” he was quoted saying.
Hindu Council Issues Statement
After the incident, Hindu Council of Australia’s state President Makrand Bhagwat issued a state condemning the act. “Any kind of hatred and vandalism against places of worship is not acceptable and we condemn it. And this kind of activity is in violation of the racial and religious tolerance act of victoria we demand Victoria Police and Premier Dan Andrews to take strong action against the perpetrators,” the statement read.
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BAPS Says will Cooperate with Authority
Meanwhile, BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir issued a statement and said, “We are deeply saddened and shocked by these acts of vandalism and hate. BAPS has always been committed to peaceful coexistence and dialogue with all faiths and peoples”.
“We have apprised the authorities and are cooperating fully with them. We offer our prayers for peace and harmony and will provide a fuller statement in due course,” the statement read.
Similar Incident Took Place in Canada
Earlier in September 2022, Toronto’s BAPS Swaminarayan Temple, was similarly vandalised with a pro-Khalistan graffiti. The miscreants had vandalised the temple by graffiti that read – “Khalistan Zindabad, Hindustan Murdabad”.
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