By: ABP News Bureau | Updated at : 20 Jan 2023 03:31 PM (IST)
File Photo of Australia’s High Commissioner to India Barry O’Farrell | Screenshot from video posted by an anonymous Twitter account capturing slogans painted on the walls of a Hindu temple in Australia’s Melbourne city. ( Image Source : Twitter )
New Delhi: Australia’s High Commissioner to India Barry O’Farrell on Friday expressed shock at the vandalism of two Hindu temples in Melbourne and said that the matter is under investigation. “Our strong support for freedom of expression does not include hate speech or violence,” he wrote. Shri Shiva Vishnu Temple in Carrum Downs was defaced with pro-Khalistan slogan within a week of anti-India and anti-Hindu graffiti on the walls of BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir in Mill Park.
“Like India, Australia is a proud, multicultural country. We have been shocked at the vandalism of two Hindu temples in Melbourne, & Australian authorities are investigating. Our strong support for freedom of expression does not include hate speech or violence,” Australia’s High Commissioner to India Barry O’Farrell tweeted.
Like 🇮🇳, 🇦🇺 is a proud, multicultural country. We have been shocked at the vandalism of two Hindu temples in Melbourne, & Australian authorities are investigating. Our strong support for freedom of expression does not include hate speech or violence. @DrSJaishankar @MEAIndia
The tweet comes after the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday informed that India has urged Australia to investigate incidents of vandalisation of two temples near Melbourne and take action against the perpetrators.
MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said the matter has been taken up with the Australian government both in Canberra and New Delhi.
“Recently a couple of temples have been vandalised in Australia. We condemned these incidents. Both are near Melbourne. We strongly condemned these actions,” Bagchi said, as quoted by news agency PTI.
“These actions have also been publicly condemned by Australian leaders, community leaders and religious associations there,” he said, replying to a question at his weekly media briefing.
He further stated that the Indian consulate general in Melbourne has taken up the matter with local police.
“We have requested expeditious investigation, action against the perpetrators and measures to prevent such incidents in future. The matter has also been taken up with the Australian government both in Canberra and in New Delhi,” the MEA spokesperson said.
“26 Jan Delhi D-day”, “Khalistan Zindabad”, and “Target Modi” were the slogans painted over the walls of Shri Shiva Vishnu Temple, as per the photos shared by The Australia Today.
The walls of BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir in Melbourne’s northern suburb of Mill Park were defaced earlier. Photos posted by The Australia Today showed slogans of “Hindustan Murdabad”, “Sant Bhindrawale Martyr”, and “Modi Hitler” painted over the temple walls.
ALSO READ | Second Hindu Temple Vandalised In A Week In Australia: Report
Hindu Temple In Australia Defaced With Pro-Khalistan, Anti-India Slogans
(With Agency Inputs)
Breaking News LIVE: Kin Of Rajouri Terror Attack Victims Given Appointment Letters
‘They Must Accept Consequences…’: Iran Guards Warn EU Terror Label Would Be ‘Mistake’, Says Report
Russia To ‘Retaliate’ After RT Accounts Frozen In France: Report
‘Shocked To Hear About It’: EAM Jaishankar On Demise Of Gabon’s Foreign Minister
Under India’s G-20 Presidency, Developing Nations Can Mainstream Climate Change Agenda: Environmentalists
9 Injured In Twin Blasts In Jammu, Congress Says Bharat Jodo Yatra Will Continue — Top Points
‘Protesters Acted In Personal Interest To Defame Management’: WFI Rejects Wrestlers’ Allegations
‘Not Only Prejudiced, It’s Full Of Factual Errors’: Former RAW Chief Sanjeev Tripathi On BBC Documentary
PM Modi To Participate In Naming Ceremony Of 21 Unnamed Andaman & Nicobar Islands On Parakram Diwas
Weather Update: Western Disturbance To Cause Heavy Rainfall In J&K, Light Rain In Delhi, Says IMD