Khalistanis vandalise BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir in Melbourne, deface walls with anti-India, pro-Khalistan slogans
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia 
11 January, 2023
Case Summary
The BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir, located in the northern suburb of Mill Park, Melbourne, was vandalised by Khalistani miscreants. Slogans critical of Narendra Modi and against India were sprayed on the temple walls, defacing them. As per photographs published in the reports, slogans such as “Hindustan Murdabad”, “Modi Hitler” were written on the outer walls of the temple. Furthermore, Khalistanis also painted praises of Khalistani terrorist Bhindranwale on the wall and called him a ‘Martyr’. They also made a video of the attack and published it on social media, calling it a brave act.
Why it is Hate Crime ?
Any defacement and vandalisation of a place of worship is an attack against the faith of the community and the community members themselves. Places of worship are a symbol of a set of values, historical ties, cultural roots and faith, therefore, any attack on a temple is directly an attack on the culture, history, values and faith of a people and the people who adhere to that faith themselves. Further, Sikh extremists have long harboured hate for Hindus and Hinduism. The Khalistani militant movement had claimed the lives of thousands of Hindus in Punjab, India owing to religious and ideological extremism. It is evident, therefore, that this crime had religious motivations.
Case Status
Unknown
Perpetrators Details
Perpetrators
Sikh Extremists
Perpetrators Range
From 5 to 10
Sources 
