The Hindu Council of Australia (HCA), Victoria, in a strong display of unity and solidarity, led an interfaith delegation today to the Shree Swaminarayan Mandir Bhuj in Boronia, Victoria, following the recent act of vandalism that targeted the sacred temple and deeply impacted the Hindu community.
The delegation, joined by Victorian Multicultural Commission (VMC) Chairperson Viv Nguyen, included representatives from various faith groups—Buddhist Council of Victoria Diana Cousins, Victorian Council of Churches Ashok Jacob, Mohamed Mohideen from Islamic Council of Victoria, Batul Gulani from AMAFHH and Jasbir Singh Suropada from Sikh Interfaith Council of Victoria among other members of the inter faith communities—who came together to express their deep concern and unequivocal support for the Hindu community.
The Shree Swaminarayan Mandir, a significant spiritual and cultural hub for Hindus in the region, was defaced with hateful graffiti—an attack widely denounced by leaders across the Victorian multicultural and interfaith spectrum.
During the visit, HCA (Vic) representatives emphasised the importance of collective resilience and interfaith harmony in the face of religiously motivated hate. “An attack on one faith is an attack on all,” a Hindu community leader remarked. “Today, we stand together—stronger, united, and committed to peace.”
Archbishop Peter A. Comensoli, of the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne, offered a heartfelt message of solidarity:
“May I simply offer our prayerful solidarity with the Hindu community following the callous and disrespectful attack on your sacred temple in Boronia. Such acts of hatred wound us all and betray the values that bind us together. This is not what our shared humanity is called to be. Respect for one another—our faiths, our cultures, our sacred spaces—is the cornerstone of true peace.”
— Archbishop Peter A. Comensoli
VMC Chair Viv Nguyen reiterated the Victorian Government’s commitment to protecting all places of worship and upholding the state’s values of inclusivity and mutual respect. “This vile act does not reflect who we are as Victorians. Our strength lies in our diversity and our respect for each other,” she said.
Today’s interfaith visit was not only symbolic but a reaffirmation of a collective stance: that Victoria’s faith and multicultural communities will not be divided by hate, but will continue to uphold the values of unity, dignity, and respect.
The Hindu Council of Australia, Victoria, extends its sincere thanks to the VMC, faith leaders, and community members for their support and calls upon all Australians to be ambassadors of peace, mutual understanding, and shared humanity.
