Indian High Commissioner in Canberra
Manpreet Vohra paid his respects at the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Melbourne on Sunday. Photo: ANI
New Delhi: The Indian High Commissioner in Canberra has condemned the violence against Indians in Australia.
Manpreet Vohra said: “India is ‘disappointed’ in Australia for not reining in Khalistani elements despite repeated requests.”
Meanwhile, Manpreet Vohra paid his respects at the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Melbourne on Sunday, discussing the community’s concerns over the temple’s recent vandalism. The violence witnessed in Melbourne on Sunday was also discussed.
“Pay respect today at the sacred BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Melbourne, a place of spirituality and service. Address the peaceful community’s concerns about the recent attack by vandals, and the disturbing violence witnessed in Melbourne yesterday,” said the Indian High Commissioner to Australia.
Men from alleged pro-Khalistani groups attacked Indians with the national flag in their hands on Sunday, reports The Australia Today.
The Australia Today said on Twitter “five people were sent to hospital after the attack.”
“Another video of #Khalistan goons making fun of #Melbourne’s Federation Square Five injured one in hospital,” The Australia Today tweeted.
After the video went viral, Bharatiya Janata Party leader Manjinder Singh Sirsa condemned the ‘anti-Indian activities’ by pro-Khalistani in Australia. “I strongly condemn anti-India activities by pro-Khalistani in Australia,” Sirsa tweeted.
“Antisocial elements who are trying to disrupt the peace and harmony of the country with these activities must be dealt with strongly and culprits must be brought to book,” wrote Sirsa.
The Indian group was seen running away from the scene as the Khalistani group continued to beat them. One individual was seen breaking an Indian flag and throwing it on the floor.
Earlier, the BAPS Swaminarayan Temple in the Mill Park area of Melbourne was allegedly vandalized by anti-Indian elements with anti-Indian slogans written on the walls of the temple, located in the suburb of Mill Park, The Australia Today reported.
Patel, a spectator shared how he saw the vandalized walls of the temple when he visited the site on Thursday.
“When I reached the temple today, all walls were painted with graffiti of Khalistani hatred towards Hindus,” The Australia Today quoted Patel as saying.
He added: “I am angry, scared and disgusted by the blatant display of religious hatred towards the peaceful Hindu community by Khalistan supporters.”
BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir issued a statement to The Australia Today saying they were “deeply saddened and shocked by these acts of vandalism and hate.” It said they remained committed to “peaceful coexistence and dialogue with all faiths”. BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir further said that they have informed the authorities about the incident, according to The Australia Today report.
Several Hindu temples have recently been vandalized in Australia.
India has condemned the vandalism of Hindu temples in Australia and said that the matter has been raised with the Australian government in Canberra and calls for speedy investigation against the perpetrators.
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