Australia’s historic Shri Shiva Vishnu Temple was recently vandalized.
Melbourne:
India today strongly condemned the recent vandalism of three Hindu temples in Australia and the graffiti on them, including the glorification of anti-Indian terrorists.
Earlier this month, the Swaminarayan Temple in Melbourne, the historic Shri Shiva Vishnu Temple in Carrum Downs, Victoria and the ISKCON Temple in Melbourne were defaced by ‘anti-social elements’ with anti-Indian graffiti.
“The frequency and impunity with which the vandals appear to operate is alarming, as is the graffiti glorifying anti-Indian terrorists,” the Indian High Commission in Canberra said in a strongly worded statement.
The commission also noted that these incidents were clear attempts to sow hatred and division among the peaceful multi-religious and multi-cultural Indian-Australian community.
The high commission stressed “that pro-Khalistan elements are stepping up their activities in Australia, actively aided and encouraged by members of proscribed terrorist organizations such as the Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) and other hostile agencies from outside Australia.”
“It is hoped that not only will the perpetrators be brought to justice, but that appropriate measures will be taken to prevent further attempts,” the statement said.
In addition, the committee has expressed its concern about the so-called referendum in Melbourne and Sydney, which will be announced next week by the banned organization Sikhs for Justice.
The High Commission urged the Australian Government to ensure the safety and security of members of the Indian community and their property in Australia and to prohibit the use of Australian territory for activities detrimental to India’s territorial integrity, security and national interests not allow.
The Australian High Commission in New Delhi has also expressed concern over the incidents and says the matters are under investigation.
“Like India, Australia is a proud, multicultural country. We are shocked by the vandalism of two Hindu temples in Melbourne, and Australian authorities are investigating. Our strong support for freedom of expression does not include hate speech or violence,” the Australian government said. . Commissioner for India Barry O’Farrell recently tweeted.
According to the 2011 census, approximately 2,95,362 Australians were born in India and there were 3,90,894 responses for Indian ancestry.
In 2011-2012, Indians were the largest source of permanent migration to Australia. Indians made up 15.7 per cent of the total migration program in 2011-2012, according to information from the Indian High Commission website in Canberra.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NewsMadura staff and is being published from a syndicated feed.)
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