'Hindustan Murdabad': Khalistan Supporters Deface Hindu Temple In Australia With Anti-India Graffiti
On Wednesday, a Hindu temple in Australia's Melbourne was allegedly defaced with pro-Bhindranwale slogans and anti-India graffiti on the walls by Khalistan supporters in Australia's Melbourne.?
Incident occurred on January 11
Khalistani supporters debased BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir in Melbourne's northern suburb of Mill Park on the evening of January 11, Australia Today reported.?
A local told the Australian publication that, upon reaching the temple, he saw that the shrine's walls were covered 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 added.
'Hindustan Murdabad', 'Modi Hitler' scrawled on the walls
According to a Times Now report, the walls of the well-known temple were painted with "Hindustan Murdabad" and "Modi Hitler" slogans.
On the temple walls, the group reportedly wrote praises of the Indian extremist Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, responsible for killing over 20,000 Hindus and Sikhs and termed him a 'Martyr'.
They reportedly recorded a video of vandalising the BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir and shared it on social media, terming it as a 'brave act'.
Bhindranwale, a stern supporter of establishing a proposed Sikh-majority state of Khalistan, was killed by the Army during Operation Bluestar.
Temple terms the act as 'shocking'
Following the incident, BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir stated?that the community is 'deeply saddened' and termed the acts of 'vandalism and hate' as 'shocking'.
"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 temple authorities said in their statement.
As per reports, the attack on the temple has been condemned by the President of the Hindu Council of Australia's Victoria and Hindu community leaders across the Australian city have extended their support to the BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir community.
Complaints made to the police and MPs
"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," Amit Sarwal, a journalist, was quoted as saying by India Today.
"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," he added.
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