Vandalisation Of Hindu Temples In Australia: India Seeks Expeditious Investigation, Action Against Perpetrators

India has strongly condemned the vandalisation of Hindu temples in Australia's Melbourne by Khalistan supporters, and sought action against the perpertrators of the attacks.

Two temples in Australia's Melbourne city were vandalised by Khalistani supporters this month.

On 16 January, the Shri Shiva Vishnu Temple, one of the iconic Hindu temples outside the Indian subcontinent, in Melbourne's Carrum Downs was vandalised by Khalistan supporters with anti-Hindu and anti-India graffiti.

The vandalism was discovered by devotees who came for 'darshan' at temple on Monday (16 January) during the Tamil Hindu community's celebration of the "Thai Pongal" festival.

This attack came days after Khalistani goons attacked and vandalised BAPS Swaminarayan temple in Melbourne's northern suburb of Mill Park on 12 January with anti-India and pro-Khalistan graffiti.

"We are aware of a couple of temples that have been recently vandalized in Australia. We condemn these incidents," MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said on Thursday (19 January).

"If I remember correctly, both are actually near Melbourne in Victoria. We strongly condemn such actions. These actions have also been publicly condemned by Australian leaders, community leaders and religious institutions there," he added.

"Our Consulate General in Melbourne has taken up the matter with the local police. We have requested expeditious investigation, action against the perpetrators and of course measures to prevent such incidents in future," Bagchi said.

The matter has also been taken up with the Australian government, both in Canberra and in New Delhi, he added.

"We are looking forward to the action that we have requested," he added.