Hindu Temple in Melbourne Defaced With Racist Graffiti, Victoria Premier Condemns Hate Attack

Melbourne, July 24, 2025: A Hindu temple in Melbourne’s Boronia suburb was defaced with racist graffiti in a disturbing hate crime that has drawn sharp condemnation from community leaders and political figures in Australia. The offensive slur, which read “Go Home Brown C**t,” was spray-painted on the walls of the Shree Swaminarayan Temple and two nearby Asian-owned restaurants on July 21. The incident, reported by The Australia Today, is being investigated by local authorities as part of a series of four related acts of vandalism in the area. Victoria Police confirmed that they are probing the racist graffiti attacks in both Boronia and Bayswater suburbs, with markings also found on the wall of a healing centre on Mountain Highway. Makrand Bhagwat, President of the Hindu Council of Australia, called the act “heartbreaking” and emphasized the emotional toll it had taken on the temple's volunteers and worshippers. "Our temple is meant to be a sanctuary of peace, devotion, and unity,” he said in a statement. “To see it vandalized with hateful words is devastating. This is where Melbourne’s Indian community comes to celebrate culture, spirituality, and togetherness.” Bhagwat also noted that the temple plays a vital role in community life—hosting daily prayers, cultural programs, and community meals that serve hundreds of people regularly. He urged authorities to take swift action and ensure the community feels protected. Victoria’s Premier Jacinta Allan issued a strong condemnation, calling the act "hateful, racist, and deeply disturbing.” In a public statement, she declared, “This wasn’t just vandalism. It was a deliberate act of hate designed to isolate, intimidate, and sow fear. There is no place for this in Victoria.” Allan assured the Indian community that the government stands with them. She confirmed that Victoria’s Minister for Multicultural Affairs will soon visit the temple to express solidarity and listen to concerns firsthand. “Your culture, your faith, and your contributions are vital to the fabric of our state,” she added. “What happened is unacceptable, and we must call it out clearly for what it is: an attack on belonging, safety, and shared values.” The hateful messages on the two restaurants nearby have further highlighted concerns over growing racial tensions in some pockets of Australian society. The Indian diaspora in Melbourne has expressed both anger and resilience, with several community leaders calling for stronger protections and harsher penalties for racially motivated crimes. Police say the incidents occurred overnight and are reviewing surveillance footage from the affected properties. “We are investigating after receiving reports of graffiti in multiple locations,” said a spokesperson from Victoria Police. The offensive markings discovered at the temple were reported around 9:30 am on July 21. As investigations continue, community members have come together to clean the temple and repaint the walls reaffirming a spirit of unity and resistance in the face of hate. Hindu Temple in Melbourne Vandalized with Racist Graffiti – Community Stands Strong A shocking act of hate struck Melbourne’s Swaminarayan Temple, defaced with racist slurs like “Go Home Brown C**t.” Two nearby Asian-owned restaurants were also targeted. Victoria Premier Jacinta Allan condemned the attacks, calling them “hateful and deeply disturbing.” The Indian community, though hurt, is responding with unity and dignity. Hate has no home here. #MelbourneNews #HinduTemple #StopRacism #UnityInDiversity #JacintaAllan #IndianDiaspora #AustraliaNews #SwaminarayanTemple #VictoriaPolice #NoPlaceForHate #FaithOverFear #CommunityStrong #MulticulturalAustralia #HateCrime #RacismInAustralia