BAPS Swaminarayan Temple
The walls of a renowned BAPS Swaminarayan temple in Sydney were destroyed by ‘anti-social elements’ on Friday, in the latest act of vandalism targeting Hindu temples in Australia ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit later this month.
The incident occurred at Rosehill’s BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir. However, the exact timing is unknown.
According to the reports, temple officials saw a Khalistani flag hanging on the gate and reported the incident to New South Wales (NSW) police.
In a statement, the temple said, “We are deeply saddened by the anti-India graffiti on the walls of the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Rosehill, Sydney by anti-social elements”.
The statement further reads, “We are further disheartened that BAPS temples in Australia have been targeted.
“For the last 23 years, the BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir has been a cornerstone of the local community and a prominent Hindu Temple which, like all BAPS temples worldwide, is an abode of peace and harmony, equality, selfless service, and universal Hindu values”, it added.
Parramatta MP Andrew Charlton went to the BAPS Temple as soon as he was told of the Hindu hate event.
Charlton, along with Temple officials, assisted in repainting the wall.
He stated, “This morning, the BAPS temple in my electorate of Parramatta was vandalized by religious extremists”.
Further, he said, “I am deeply shocked and saddened by this act of mindless vandalism. Everyone in Australia has the right to practice their faith in peace”.
The temple said, “At this time, the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha prays for peace and unity and has appealed to all devotees and well-wishers in the community to maintain peace”.
“We are thankful for the local police command, the Department of Home Affairs, State and Federal Members of Parliament, the Indian High Commission, and the Consul General of Sydney for their continued support”, the temple added.
Further, the temple said, “BAPS temples across Australia are symbols of a thriving multicultural society that nurture Australian values of respect, mateship, and tolerance. We request everyone to join in worldwide prayers that God blesses and guides us all to continue to do good and think good of all”.
In a statement, an NSW police spokesperson said, “Officers from Cumberland Police Area Command have commenced an investigation following reports of malicious damage to a religious site in Rosehill”.
Police are conducting inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Khalistan activists vandalized three Hindu temples in Melbourne and two Hindu temples in Brisbane earlier this year.
PM Modi is set to visit Sydney on May 24 for the QUAD summit.
During Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s visit to India in March, PM Modi discussed the regular attacks on Hindu temples with him and expressed his worries.
Albanese assured PM Modi that Australia will not allow attacks on religious sites and that those involved will “face the full force of the law”.
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