A Hindu temple in Melbourne's eastern suburb of Boronia has been targeted by racist vandalism, for which condemnation by community leaders, interfaith groups, and government officials was forthcoming, as well as an ongoing police investigation.
As reported by The Brisbane Times and The Sydney Morning Herald, red paint graffiti containing racial slurs and the words "Go home" were found on the walls of Shree Swaminarayan Temple at Wadhurst Drive.
Two other Asian-owned restaurants close to the temple—Kingsland Chinese Restaurant and Charles King Dumpling—were also targeted in the same attack.
President of the Victoria chapter of the Hindu Council of Australia, Makrand Bhagwat, referred to the act as extremely painful for the local Hindu community. "Our temple is supposed to be a place of peace, devotion and unity," he told Australia Today. "To have it subject to this kind of attack feels like it's an attack on our identity, our right to worship and freedom of religion.
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan denounced the act in an individual letter to the management of the temple as something more than property violation. "What occurred this week was hateful, racist and profoundly disturbing," she said. "It was not merely vandalism – it was a calculated hate crime, intended to threaten, ostracize, and engender fear.
The Multifaith Network of the City of Greater Knox and other interfaith networks have also extended their solidarity. Community leader Vikrant Thakur conveyed a powerful message of solidarity by stating, "We want to show that love and solidarity triumph over hate."
The shocking graffiti attack follows within days of a senseless racist assault in Adelaide that left 23-year-old Indian national Charanpreet Singh lying unconscious on the pavement. The attack, which was allegedly ignited by an argument over parking, escalated into violence.
In an interview with 9News, Singh described, "They just said 'f--- off, Indian', and then they just started punching. I fought back, but they kicked me till I became unconscious."
Singh was badly hurt, suffering from a head injury and several face fractures. One of the suspects, a 20-year-old man from Enfield, has been arrested and charged, but others involved in the attack are still being hunted by police.
Both assaults have created outrage among Australia's multicultural communities and new calls for tougher action against racial violence and hate crimes.
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