The BAPS Swaminarayan Temple in Melbourne’s Mill Park area was vandalized allegedly by anti-India elements with anti-India slogans written on the walls of the temple located in the suburb of Mill Park, reported The Australia Today. Patel, a bystander who did not wish to reveal his first name, told The Australia Today how he saw the damaged walls of the temple when he visited the site on Thursday. Australia Today quoted Patel as saying, “When I reached the temple this morning, all the walls were painted with graffiti of Khalistani hatred towards Hindus.”
“I am angered, horrified and dismayed by the open display of religious hatred towards a peaceful Hindu community by Khalistan supporters,” he said. BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir said they were “deeply saddened and shocked by these acts of vandalism and hatred”. It said they are committed to “peaceful coexistence and dialogue for all religions”.
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The BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir further said that they have informed the authorities about the incident, reports Australia Today. Meanwhile, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, in a video message, extended “warm greetings” to Pramukh Swami Maharaj ji and the BAPS organization on their 100th birth anniversary.
Albanese’s video message has been shared by Australia’s High Commissioner to India, Barry O’Farrell. “His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj, on behalf of all Australians, I send my warmest wishes to you and the BAPS organization on the 100th anniversary of the birth of His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj,” said Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
He further added, “I pay tribute to his legacy, his message of serving them…something we can all strive for and as he said, in the happiness of others, lies our earning. This The legacy lives on here in Australia.” Anthony Albanese said Australia was proud of the BAPS community which has built temples across the country in “the richest Australian society”. He added, “I am looking forward to the completion of the large new BAPS temple in Sydney.”
Furthermore, he said that India and Australia share a bond of friendship and called the Australian Indian community a “significant contributor” to relations between the two countries. Sharing the video, Barry O’Farrell wrote in a tweet, “His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj Ji’s legacy of service has touched and uplifted millions of lives. The message from my Prime Minister @my It was an honor to have @AlboMP to mark the centenary celebrations of the birth of Pramukh Swami Maharaj @BAPS. PM’s video message (1/2). Barry O’Farrell further said, “I also want to visit Pramukh Swami Nagar Was lucky enough to have – an #IncredibleIndia experience.”
(With inputs from ANI)