Cancel bhajan event: Hindu temple in Australia receives threat call
A Hindu temple called Kali Mata Mandir in Melbourne, Australia, reportedly received a threatening phone call warning the temple priestess of dire consequences if their upcoming bhajan event was not called off. As per media reports, the call was made about three weeks ago while the temple was preparing for a religious program.
Why does this story matter?
Attacks on Hindu temples in Australia and other countries have increased dramatically in recent months, allegedly by supporters of the Khalistani movement. On January 12, Melbourne's Swaminarayan temple was defaced with anti-India graffiti. In another similar incident in the country, the Shri Shiva Vishnu Temple in Carrum Downs was vandalized during the "Thai Pongal" celebrations in January this year.
Received threat call from 'no caller ID': Temple priestess
The temple priestess Bhawna claimed she received a call from a "no caller ID," meaning the call receiver could not see the caller's phone number. Bhawna told news outlet Australia Today that a man threatened her to cancel the upcoming March 4 spiritual program by a singer, who the caller claimed was a kattar (staunch) Hindu.
Bhawna reveals context of the threat call
According to Bhawna, the caller also said that if the singer came to the temple, there would be trouble. "Twannu pata hai vo banda kattar Hindu hai, vo aaya te panga ho jana hai mandir te (do you know the singer is a staunch Hindu. If he comes to the temple, there will be trouble)," the caller reportedly told the priestess.
Why would someone come to fight here? Bhawna told caller
To this, the priestess allegedly asked the caller why someone would fight at a temple where people come daily to pray. "I pleaded with him, bhai ji (brother), this is Ma Kali's (Hindu Goddess Kali) place; even Guru Maharaj (Guru Govind Singh) used to pray here. Why would someone come and fight here?" Bhawna told Australia Today.
Hindu temple in Canada defaced with anti-India graffiti
On Monday, a prominent Hindu temple in Canada was defaced with anti-India graffiti, reportedly by "Khalistani extremists." As per PTI, the incident occurred at a Ram Mandir in Mississauga. "We strongly condemn the defacing of Ram Mandir in Mississauga with anti-India graffiti. We have requested Canadian authorities to investigate the incident and take prompt action on perpetrators," Indian Consulate in Toronto stated on Twitter.
Gauri Shankar Mandir in Brampton vandalized
Last month, a Hindu temple in Canada's Brampton was also vandalized with hate-filled notes directed toward India, triggering a massive outrage among the Indian community. While the Canadian authorities continue to investigate the matter, Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown condemned the defacing of Gauri Shankar Mandir in the city. "This hateful act of vandalism has no place in our City or Country," Brown said.
India's reaction to Brampton incident
Speaking about the "hate crime" incident, Indian Consulate General in Toronto stated: "We strongly condemn the defacing of Gauri Shankar Mandir in Brampton, a symbol of Indian heritage, with anti-India graffiti." "The hateful act of vandalism has deeply hurt the sentiments of the Indian community in Canada. We have raised our concerns on the matter with Canadian authorities," it wrote on Twitter.
