The Hindu Council of Australia (HCA) led an interfaith delegation to the Shree Swaminarayan Mandir Bhuj in Boronia, following last week’s vandalism attack on the revered Hindu temple.
The gesture, organised in partnership with the Victorian Multicultural Commission (VMC), brought together faith representatives from across the state to condemn religiously motivated hate and reaffirm Victoria’s commitment to multicultural harmony.
A United Front
VMC Chairperson Viv Nguyen joined HCA President Makrand Bhagwat, Buddhist Council of Victoria president Diana Cousins, Victorian Council of Churches executive member Ashok Jacob, Islamic Council of Victoria representative Mohamed Mohideen, Australian Mar Thoma Affairs Forum in Victoria’s Batul Gulani, and Sikh Interfaith Council of Victoria’s Jasbir Singh Suropada, among others. Together, they offered prayers, inspected the temple grounds, and pledged collective support to the shaken Hindu community.
Mr Bhagwat said, “This was more than a symbolic visit.”
“It was a clear message that an attack on one faith is an attack on all faiths. We stand together — stronger, united, and committed to peace.”
Victorian Multicultural Commission’s Chairperson Viv Nguyen echoed this sentiment: “This vile act does not reflect who we are as Victorians. Our strength lies in our diversity and our respect for each other.”
“The Victorian Government will continue to protect every place of worship and uphold our state’s core values of inclusivity and mutual respect.”
Archbishop Peter A. Comensoli of the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne delivered an impassioned address at the temple entrance, “May I simply offer our prayerful solidarity with the Hindu community following the callous and disrespectful attack on your sacred temple in Boronia.
“Such acts of hatred wound us all and betray the values that bind us together. Respect for one another—our faiths, our cultures, our sacred spaces—is the cornerstone of true peace.”
Late last month, unknown vandals defaced the Shree Swaminarayan Mandir Bhuj’s façade with hateful graffiti, demanding that the Hindu community “go home.” Two nearby Asian-run restaurants suffered identical slurs. Victoria Police have launched a hate crime investigation, recovered paint fragments, and are reviewing CCTV footage. No arrests have yet been made.
A Call to Action
In the wake of the attack, the Shree Swaminarayan temple secretary said, “We want to show that love and solidarity triumph over hate,” he said, as interfaith leaders prepared to assist.
Community and faith leaders have urged all Victorians to remain vigilant and to report any suspicious activity. The HCA has also called upon schools, neighbourhood houses, and local media outlets to organise educational programs on religious tolerance and unity.
Moving Forward Together
Today’s interfaith delegation underscores a shared determination: Victoria’s faith communities will not be divided by hate. Instead, they will continue to promote unity, dignity, and respect across cultural and religious lines.
As Mr Bhagwat concluded,
“We extend our sincere thanks to all who have stood with us. Let this be a moment not of fear, but of renewed hope in our shared humanity.”
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