New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said he had raised the issue of the vandalization of Indian temples with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and been assured by the visiting dignitary of the safety of the Indian community there.
In his media statement, after holding the first annual bilateral summit with PM Albanese at Hyderabad House, Prime Minister Modi said:
“It is a matter of deep concern that news of attacks on Indian temples is coming regularly from Australia. It is natural that this is causing worry and mental anguish to the people of India.
“I presented our feelings and worries before Prime Minister Albanese, and he has given assurance that the safety of the Indian community is of prime importance to him.
“Our teams will remain in touch with each other regularly and support each other on this,” the Prime Minister added.
There has been a spate of hate attacks on Hindu temples in Australia, with the latest coming as Prime Minister Albanese flew to India from Perth.
The Swaminarayan Temple in Perth received a threat call from Khalistan supporters.
Earlier, the Shree Laxmi Narayan Temple in Brisbane’s Burbank suburb was attacked by a group of Khalistani supporters on March 4.
On January 23, the walls of the ISCKON temple in Melbourne’s Albert Park were vandalised with anti-India graffiti.
On January 16, the Shri Shiva Vishnu Temple in Carrum Downs, Victoria, was vandalised in a similar manner.
On January 12, the Swaminarayan temple in Melbourne was defaced with anti-India graffiti.
India has condemned the vandalism against the Hindu temples in Australia and has raised the issue with the Australian government.
