Earlier this year also there were reports of temple vandalism in Australia.
New South Wales (NSW) Police have released photographs to seek the public’s help in catching the accused of the BAPS Swaminarayan Temple which was found vandalized in Sydney, Australia a week ago, The Australia Today reported.
Temple officials in the western Sydney suburb of Rosehill said they found unwanted graffiti on the structure’s front wall and a so-called ‘Khalistan flag’ hanging over its gate a week ago on May 5.
An investigation by NSW Police detectives revealed that the incident took place between 1 am and 2 am on Friday, reports The Australia Today.
Following a preliminary investigation, NSW Police have released a photograph of a vehicle that was last seen on Virginia Street in the early hours of Friday morning towards James Roose Drive, Rosehill. They think the passengers in the car may know anything that could help the investigation, or even have dashcam footage.
Detectives investigating the vandalism of a temple in Rosehill last week are hoping the release of images will help the public.
The incident took place between 1 pm to 2 pm on Friday, May 5.
more info: https://t.co/zuuVGk2CtQpic.twitter.com/u99FDfHfVu
– NSW Police Force (@nswpolice) May 13, 2023
Cumberland Commander Superintendent Sheridan Waldau expressed hope that someone in the neighborhood may have some information that could assist in identifying the suspect or vehicle.
“We are also hoping that person, or the occupants of the car, will contact detectives as we believe they may have vital information to the investigation,” Waldo said.
A second image released by NSW Police is believed to be of a man who was first seen in the vicinity of the temple at or around the same time.
The person’s face in the picture is with a mask. He is seen wearing dark colored clothes and a cap. It is not yet known whether the person in the picture is related to the car in the second picture.
Superintendent Waldo said, “NSW Police work closely with members of the widely diverse community in Western Sydney, and it is disappointing that actions such as this could cause unnecessary distress.”
He also said, “Police rely on the support of the local community to provide information so this can be investigated, but it is important to know that information provided will be treated in the highest confidence.”
NSW Police have also issued a contact number, urging citizens to contact Granville Police Station with any information regarding the case. You can either call 1800 333 000 or email http://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au, reports The Australia Today.
Notably, the temple vandalism incident comes nearly two months after pro-Khalistan supporters vandalized temples in Melbourne and Brisbane.
Earlier this year also there were reports of temple vandalism in Australia. Three temples in Melbourne and two in Brisbane were vandalized by Khalistan supporters.
The latest incident of temple vandalism by anti-social elements comes days before Prime Minister Narendra Modi is to personally attend the Quad Leaders’ Summit in Sydney on May 24. A day before the Quad Leaders Summit, the Indian Australian Diaspora Foundation will host a grand community reception in honor of PM Modi.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had earlier raised the concern with his Australian counterpart, to whom he assured that the safety of the Indian community was a special priority.
In the US and Canada too, pro-Khalistan supporters attempted to vandalize temples and Indian diplomatic establishments on various occasions after police in India registered a crackdown on radical Amritpal Singh.