A wave of condemnation has swept across Australia following a vile racist attack on the Shree Swaminarayan Temple in Melbourne’s eastern suburb of Boronia.
The temple, a sanctuary for Melbourne’s Hindu community, was defaced with hateful graffiti, including a slur demanding “Go home brown c**t” painted in red. Two nearby Asian-run restaurants were also targeted in what police believe are linked hate crimes.
Political leaders, community groups and faith-based organisations have spoken out, expressing deep concern and pledging solidarity with the affected communities.
Victoria’s Premier Jacinta Allan, while not issuing a formal public statement, sent a heartfelt message to temple leaders stating,
“What happened this week was hateful, racist and deeply disturbing. It was an attack on your right to feel safe and to belong, and on the values that bind us together. There’s no place for it anywhere in Victoria.”
Allan assured the community that her government stood with them in solidarity and respect.
Minister for Multicultural Affairs Ingrid Stitt visited Boronia in the aftermath of the incident and said the Allan Labor Government “strongly condemns this racist attack” and will “continue to invest in building stronger, safer and more inclusive communities.” She added,
“Our multicultural and multifaith communities are the heart of our state — and we stand with the Hindu community in Boronia and all those affected by this hateful vandalism. In this state, you have the right to practise your religion, be proud of who you are, and not have to look over your shoulder in fear.”
The Minister noted that Victoria Police is actively investigating the incident and urged anyone with information to come forward. She also highlighted the government’s forthcoming Anti-vilification and Social Cohesion Bill 2024, which will expand police powers to deal with hate crimes, create new criminal offences for serious vilification, and strengthen civil protections for communities vulnerable to targeted abuse.
Federal leaders have also weighed in, denouncing the acts as an attack on the very values that define Australia.
In a joint media release Tony Burke MP, Minister for Home Affairs, Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, with the Anne Aly MP, made the federal government’s position clear: “The racist attacks on Asian restaurants and a Hindu temple in Melbourne are an attack on Australia and our core values. They come on the back of a sickening string of racist and homophobic graffiti attacks in Melbourne in recent weeks. When bigoted graffiti tells people to ‘go home’ our response is clear: they already are.”
“Our government has taken the strongest possible line against hate speech and hate crimes. We are committed to defending the right of all Australians to feel safe and be safe in their communities. We stand with all Australians against anyone who would seek to make them feel unwelcome or unsafe.”
Evan Mulholland MP, Liberal Member for the Northern Metropolitan Region, described the attack as disgraceful and cowardly. “The attack on such an important place of worship is an attack on the values of respect, tolerance and harmony that underpin our multicultural state,” he said.
“The Liberals and Nationals stand with our Hindu community, multicultural Victorians, and all who are shocked and saddened by this senseless act.”
Liberal leader Jason Wood MP also issued a scathing statement, calling for strong action. “I strongly condemn the disgusting racist graffiti attack vandalising the Shree Swaminarayan temple in Boronia. There is no place for racism in our society. These vile scums of society who perpetrate these hateful attacks on our communities should be brought to justice soon. Shri Swaminarayan Hindu temple is a sanctuary of faith, peace and harmony for our Hindu community. I understand it would be extremely distressing to our Hindu community and I strongly stand with them.”
“I am deeply concerned by these hateful incidents and call upon the police to take strong measures to keep our community safe. Victoria needs strong bail laws and strict sentencing to keep the miscreants in jail, which is where they belong.”
The Hindu Council of Australia expressed its deep concern and unequivocally condemned what it called a “heinous and targeted hate graffiti attack.” In a public statement, the council said,
“Acts of hatred and vandalism of this nature not only hurt the sentiments of the Hindu community but also threaten the values of peace, mutual respect, and multicultural harmony that Australia proudly upholds.”
The council urged law enforcement authorities to act decisively and called on all Australians to reject hate in all its forms and embrace a spirit of inclusiveness, respect and unity.
Makrand Bhagwat, President of the Hindu Council of Australia’s Victoria chapter, described the emotional toll the vandalism had taken on worshippers and volunteers. “Our temple is meant to be a sanctuary of peace, devotion and unity,” he said.
“Seeing it vandalised with hateful words was heartbreaking for volunteers and worshippers alike. To have it targeted in this way feels like an attack on our identity, our right to worship and freedom of religion.”
The temple is a major cultural and spiritual hub for Melbourne’s Indian diaspora, hosting daily prayers, community meals, and vibrant cultural festivals. Many congregants travel from across the city to attend services and participate in religious and social gatherings.
The Victorian Multicultural Commission’s Multifaith Advisory Group, in a unified statement, extended heartfelt sympathy to the temple’s congregation and quoted a universal Hindu prayer:
“May all realise what is good. May all be motivated by noble thoughts. May all rejoice everywhere. May all be happy.”
The group said the hateful act had disturbed the sense of safety for many, but they stood together in resilience and solidarity until “the yearning of our prayers is fulfilled.”
Shadow Minister for Home Affairs Andrew Hastie MP and Shadow Minister for Multicultural Affairs Senator Paul Scarr issued a joint statement saying,
“There is no place for bigotry and violence in Australia. All Australians have the right to feel safe in their communities.”
Victoria Police confirmed that four incidents are under investigation, including those at the temple and the two restaurants. A police spokesperson said,
“There is absolutely no place at all in our society for hate-based and racist behaviour.”
Investigators believe the attacks are linked and are urging witnesses or anyone with CCTV or dashcam footage to come forward by contacting Crime Stoppers.
Community leaders, including the City of Greater Knox’s Multifaith Network, have pledged their support to the Hindu community and condemned the attacks as an affront to the values of multiculturalism and mutual respect. Anita Mehta, a temple volunteer, said,
“Let’s not let fear divide us. If we stand together—Hindus, Buddhists, Christians, Jews, Muslims—we can reclaim our public spaces for harmony.”
As investigations continue, the Shree Swaminarayan Temple and the broader Hindu community in Victoria remain united in grief, but determined not to let hate define their future.
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