Those behind vandalism of Hindu temples will face full force of law: Australian PM Anthony Albanese

While taking questions from reporters before departing New Delhi, after his four-day state visit, PM Albanese was asked what assurances he had given Prime Minister Modi about the protection of Hindu temples in Australia.

In his reply, Prime Minister Albanese said: “I gave him the assurance that Australia is a country that respects people's faith. That we don't tolerate the sort of extreme actions and attacks that we've seen on religious buildings, be they Hindu temples, mosques, synagogues, or churches. This has no place in Australia."

“And we will take every action through our police and also our security agencies to make sure that anyone responsible for this faces the full force of the law. We're a tolerant multicultural nation, and there is no place in Australia for this activity.”

On Friday, in his media statement following the first Annual Summit level talks between the two sides, Prime Minister Modi said he had raised the issue of vandalization of Hindu temples in Australia by pro-Khalistani elements with PM Albanese.

PM Modi said that he had been assured by his Australian counterpart that the safety of the Indian community is a special priority for him.

Modi said: “It is a matter of regret that attacks on temples have been regularly reported in Australia over the past few weeks.

“It is natural that such news worries the people in India, and disturbs our mind. I have shared these feelings and concerns of ours with Prime Minister Albanese. And he has assured me that the safety of the Indian community is a special priority for him," he said.

“Our teams will be in regular touch on this topic, and will cooperate as much as possible,” PM Modi added.

Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra, in a special briefing on the visit, said that the two leaders also discussed “the disturbances created by pro-Khalistani outfits in Australia”.

“PM Modi expressed strong concern on the incidents of vandalism and violence targeting the Indian community and temples in Australia. These were also mentioned in his media statement.

“PM Albanese assured PM Modi that his government has deep understanding and appreciation of India’s concern and will be taking all necessary measures to ensure that peace and harmony prevails in the society,” FS Kwatra said.

There has been a spate of hate attacks on Hindu temples in Australia, with the latest reported as Prime Minister Albanese flew to India from Perth on March 8.

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. It was the fifth attempt at vandalism.

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 earlier condemned the vandalism against the Hindu temples in Australia and has raised the issue with the Australian government.

(With UNI inputs)