The increasing targeted attacks of Khalistani Supporters
In January 2023, Shri Shiva Vishnu Temple, located in Australia’s Carrum Downs, was subjected to vandalism with anti-Hindu graffiti. Devotees noticed the act when they came for ‘’darshan’’(visit) amid the three-day long ‘’Thai Pongal’’ festival, which was being celebrated by Australia’s Tamil Hindu Community.
The Indian community in Australia condemned the vandalism of Hindu temples in several parts of the country and appealed for strict actions to be taken against the perpetrators. One of the NRIs, while speaking to a daily tabloid, said that he expects the Government to take appropriate actions against the misdeed. Furthermore, he highlighted that the meaning of Hinduism relates to the way of life and being respectful of religions.
Another Indian expressed his concern for the hatred and animosity in lieu of such incidents that have been occurring more and more recently. He added that irrespective of religion, be it Hindu, Muslim or Christian, people must support each other. However, when one particular community is being targeted, the Government must seek appropriate action against the offenders.
The origin of the act can be traced back to the evening of January 15, 2023, when Khalistan supporters attempted to draw support for their referendum through a car rally in Melbourne. However, they failed to gather adequate support, as less than two hundred people gathered out of 60,000 Melbourne Community.
Furthermore, on 29 January, Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) organised the voting for Khalistan Independence Referendum; that is when two fights broke out, one at about 12.45 pm and the other at about 4.30 pm. The Khalistan supporters targeted the members of the Indian Hindu community; the assailants used flag poles as weapons and caused physical injuries to several people.
The Victoria police claimed that two main accused were apprehended on the day of the attack, and further investigations are underway to nab others.
A week before the rally on January 12, the BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir in Australia’s Mill Park was smeared with anti-India and anti-Hindu graffiti. The offenders defaced the temple walls with anti-India and anti-Hindu slogans.
Furthermore, the management of Melbourne’s International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) temple, also known as the Hare Krishna Temple, found the temple walls vandalised with anti-India graffiti. Besides, the attack on the ISCON temple followed two days after Victorian Multifaith leaders conducted an emergency meeting with Victorian Multicultural Commission.
Targeted Attacks against Hindus in Australia
Multiple Hindu temples have been defaced by Khalistani elements in Australia since the beginning of 2023, specifically in Victoria. These targeted attacks are part of the increasing anti-Hindu Violence taking place in several countries across the world, including Canada, the UK and Australia.
For instance, Khalistanis attacked and vandalised five separate Hindu temples in Australia between January and March 2023. On February 16, a Kali Mata temple located in the suburbs of Melbourne encountered threats from Khalistani terrorists for organising a Bhajan program.
Moreover, ‘Target Modi’, ‘Modi Hitler’, and ‘Hindustan Murdabad’’ are some of the usual slogans that the assailants paint on the temple walls.
India had condemned the vandalisation of Hindu temples in Australia and indicated that the matter had been intimated to the Australian Government in Canberra and asked for investigations against the perpetrators.
Additionally, Arindam Bagchi, Spokesperson Ministry of External Affairs, pointed out that India’s Consulate General in Australia has taken the matter with the local Police. Likewise, Australia’s High Commissioner to India, Barry O’Farrell AO, had also condemned the incidents.
