"Gravely concerned by the mindless vandalism of Hindu temples," says Australian High Commissioner to India

Melbourne, Jan 24: Australia condemned the vandalism of a Hindu temple engraved with anti-India graffiti in Melbourne's Albert Park on Monday (Jan 23) and said that the country won't tolerate hate speech or violence, Australian High Commissioner to India said.

"I am gravely concerned by the mindless vandalism of Hindu temples in Victoria. Australia does not tolerate hate speech or violence and Australian authorities are investigating," Barry O'Farrell said in a statement given to media on the mail. He also recalled Australia's Foreign Minister and said, "the Indian diaspora are valued and important contributors to our vibrant and resilient multicultural society."

Also read: Third in a row! Yet another Hindu temple vandalized with anti-India graffiti in Melbourne's Albert Park

Farell also said that Australia values diversity and inclusion and also respects the right of individuals to engage in peaceful protest, and supports the non-violent expression of views. The Australian Government will continue to work closely with faith leaders to promote community harmony, he added. It is pertinent to mention that this is the third time the temple in Australia has been vandalized.

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The vandalization of the temple, Hare Krishna Temple comes days after Shri Shiva Vishnu Temple in Carrum Downs was vandalized. The management of Melbourne's International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) temple also known as the Hare Krishna Temple found the temple walls vandalised with anti-India graffiti in the early hours of Monday morning.