Hate Crime Rocks Melbourne: Hindu Temple and Asian Restaurants Targeted in Racist Attack

Melbourne's Indian community reels from coordinated vandalism as authorities investigate linked incidents

Melbourne's eastern suburbs witnessed a disturbing display of racial hatred this week when the Shree Swaminarayan Temple in Boronia was defaced with vile graffiti, marking yet another troubling incident in Australia's growing pattern of hate crimes against minority communities.

The sacred Hindu temple, located on Wadhurst Drive, was discovered vandalised on July 21 with the racist slur "Go home brown c***" spray-painted in red across its walls. In what appears to be a coordinated attack, two nearby Asian-run restaurants on Boronia Road were similarly targeted with identical hateful messages.

Victoria Police confirmed they are treating the incidents as linked, with investigators believing the attacks were part of a systematic campaign. The vandalism was first spotted at a healing centre on Mountain Highway before spreading to the temple around 9:30 AM and subsequently to the restaurants.

For Melbourne's vibrant Indian diaspora, the attack struck at the heart of their community. Makrand Bhagwat, president of the Hindu Council of Australia's Victoria chapter, expressed the profound impact of the vandalism on worshippers and community members.

"Our temple is meant to be a sanctuary of peace, devotion and unity," Bhagwat told local media. "To have it targeted in this way feels like an attack on our identity, our right to worship and freedom of religion."

The Swaminarayan Temple serves as more than just a place of worship for Melbourne's Indian community. It hosts daily prayers, community meals, and cultural festivals, drawing congregants from across the metropolitan area who see it as a cornerstone of their cultural identity in Australia.

While Premier Jacinta Allan has not made a public statement, her office reportedly reached out privately to temple authorities. According to sources, Allan condemned the incident as "hateful, racist and deeply disturbing," emphasising that it wasn't merely vandalism but "a deliberate act of hate, designed to intimidate, isolate, and spread fear."

The Melbourne incident comes just one day after another shocking attack on a 23-year-old Indian student, Charanpreet Singh, in Adelaide. Singh was brutally assaulted by a group of men who allegedly shouted racial slurs before beating him unconscious, leaving him hospitalised with brain trauma following what he described as an unprovoked, racially motivated attack.

These incidents reflect a concerning trend of hate crimes targeting South Asian and other minority communities across Australia. The coordinated nature of the Melbourne vandalism, affecting both Hindu and broader Asian communities, suggests a deliberate attempt to spread fear among immigrant populations.

The attacks have sent shockwaves through Australia's Indian community, many of whom came to the country seeking better opportunities and religious freedom. For temple-goers who gather for prayer and cultural celebration, the vandalism represents a violation of their most sacred spaces.

As Victoria Police continue their investigation into the linked incidents, community leaders are calling for stronger measures to protect religious sites and minority communities from hate crimes. The incident serves as a stark reminder that despite Australia's multicultural reputation, pockets of racial intolerance continue to threaten the safety and belonging of immigrant communities.

The investigation remains ongoing, with authorities urging anyone with information about the vandalism to come forward.