Australian Hindu Temples Council and Hindu Council of Australia organised a virtual Ganesh Chaturthi celebration amid lockdown in Melbourne and Sydney.
Federal Assistant Minister for Multicultural Affairs Jason Wood graces the virtual program and assured the Hindu community of all the help and support regarding community concerns on multiple issues.
Ramesh Rao, Secretary of Sri Venkata Krishna Brundavana Temple welcomed the attendees for a special pooja which was organised by the Sri Vakrathunda Vinayagar Temple at The Basin.
The temple priests performed the traditional pooja ritual and aarti for the devotees gathered virtually.
Hindu Council of Australia’s National President Prakash Mehta felicitated Minister Wood. Mr Mehta said, “Peaceful Hindu community always stands for Australian values and works for a better society.”
Community concerns about the recent legislation proposed by the Victorian Government to ban the Hindu Holy Religious symbol Swastika were raised by HCA’s Victoria President Makarand Bhagwat.
Minister Wood was surprised by the fact that the Hindu community was not even consulted by the Victorian government before their announcement to start the process to ban Swastika
Priests from the Sri Vakrathunda Vinayagar temple showed the Swastika and explained the importance and meaning of the Hindu religion to the gathered guests.
Hindu community members also passionately raised the issue and highlighted the fact that the Victorian State Government has excluded Hindus, Jains and Buddhists from the consultations for the proposed legislative framework.
Minister Wood answered questions from the community members and assured to support the Hindu community that he will work together with the Jewish community and find an acceptable solution for all the communities.
He also highlighted the need to create awareness about Swastika from the Hindu religious perspective to reach the wider community.
Australian Hindu Temples Council’s convenor Karthik Arasu thanked Minister Wood and his Adviser Ranj Perera for gracing the celebration and supporting the community in the time of need.
Hindu Council of Australia’s Victoria President Makarand Bhagwat said he is very hopeful a positive solution will be found with the help of Minister Jason Wood and hopefully it will have a National impact so that in the future Hindu community’s right to practise their faith in peace will not be distorted.
