“Our reaction was sad, to see this type of thing when it shouldn’t happen. There are certainly political elements, but there could be many reasons. I know my community very well and no one from my community can do it.”
— Albel Singh Kang, Secretary of the Australian Sikh Association
The BAPS Swaminarayan Hindu Temple in Rosehill near Parramatta in Sydney had the words “Declare Modi terrorist” spray painted on the temple wall.
The incident, which was reported to police on Friday, May 5, saw a person vandalise the building on Eleanor Street at about 1am before fleeing the scene, reported abc.net.au.
Some members of the Indian diaspora have been involved in protests in favour and against a non-binding referendum on a Sikh independent state in northern India’s Punjab region, known as the Khalistan movement.
Community leaders hope tensions between the Sikh and Hindu religious groups will cease ahead of India Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s arrival in Sydney for the Quad leaders’ summit on May 24.
Albel Singh Kang, Secretary of the Australian Sikh Association, called the person who committed the vandalism a “thug” and denied a member of the Gurdwara Sahib, the religious congregation based in the Hills Shire, had any involvement.
“Our reaction was sad, to see this type of thing when it shouldn’t happen. There are certainly political elements, but there could be many reasons. I know my community very well and no one from my community can do it.”
Dr Kang met with the Hindu temple directors and shared a cup of tea with them, calling for peace.
“We arrived on the day of the vandalism and sat with them, the graffiti was removed very fast and we’re glad,” he said.
“Blaming one community is an act of dividing the peace-loving Hindu and Sikh communities.” Dr Kang wants to see the “full force of the law” brought down on the offenders.
Police rely on the support of the local community to provide information so it can be investigated, but it’s important to know that information provided will be treated with the strictest confidence.” City of Sydney staff intervened on May 12 night after posters calling Modi a “terrorist” were put up around the CBD.
“Wherever they run we will make sure the police will catch them.” He said he would be sitting down with members of the Hindu community and a police representative on Wednesday May 17.
NSW Police Superintendent Sheridan Waldau said a car and a person seen on CCTV in the area at the time could hold answers for both communities.
“[We work] closely with members of a widely diverse community in western Sydney, and it’s disappointing that actions such as these can cause unnecessary distress.
Police rely on the support of the local community to provide information so it can be investigated, but it’s important to know that information provided will be treated with the strictest confidence.” City of Sydney staff intervened on May 12 night after posters calling Modi a “terrorist” were put up around the CBD.
Amar Singh, a Sikh from the Blacktown-based charity group Turbans4Australia said he is worried the vandalism will lead to retaliation attacks.
“I’ve had six death threats over the phone to me,” he said.
“It was a private number and basically told me to come to Harris Park now and they’re waiting for me.”
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