On a day when most Hindus in Canberra were preparing to attend the annual Diwali Mela at Albert Holt, an appalling crime unfolded, targeting two Hindu temples in the capital city. The brazen act left the community shaken, as masked men broke into the temples, causing significant damage and stealing valuable donations.
At approximately 1:30 pm, four masked individuals arrived in a black Honda van and crashed into the front door of the Hindu Temple and Cultural Centre in Florey, ACT Canberra.
The footage, recorded by CCTV cameras, captured the perpetrators swiftly moving through the temple premises. They stole three small donation boxes along with a massive 200 kg donation box containing several thousand dollars.
In a shocking display of audacity, the group even used a wheelbarrow found in the temple shed to transport the large donation box to their van. The entire heist lasted only about 15 minutes.
Temple Vice President Shree Tarun Agasti told The Australia Today, “We are deeply saddened and disturbed by the recent act of vandalism and theft that occurred at our temple over the weekend.”
“This senseless act of disrespect towards our place of worship and our community is disheartening. We want to assure our community that we are working closely with the local authorities to investigate this incident and bring those responsible to justice.”
“We urge anyone with information to come forward and assist the authorities in their investigation. This act of vandalism not only affects our Hindu community but also undermines the values of respect, tolerance, and inclusivity that our diverse Canberra community holds dear.”
“We believe that every individual, regardless of their faith or background, has the right to practice their religion freely and without fear. We call upon the entire Canberra community to stand united against such acts of hatred and intolerance.”
“By working together, we can create a safer and more harmonious society for all. We remain steadfast in our commitment to fostering peace, understanding, and interfaith dialogue. We invite everyone to join us in promoting unity and respect for all faiths. We thank the community for their outpouring of support and solidarity during this difficult time.”
However, the thugs didn’t stop at this temple. Immediately after, they drove to the Vishnu Shiva Temple, arriving at 2 pm, roughly an hour after the temple had closed at 1 pm.
Temple President Thamo Sritharan informed The Australia Today that the break-in took place while the caretaker and the priest were away for their lunch break. Using a crowbar, the vandals forced their way through the main door and proceeded to vandalise the reception area. They took two safes from the area, both containing cash.
The heist grew more destructive as the criminals targeted the Hundis, the donation boxes embedded in concrete. These donation boxes were forcefully removed using sledgehammers.
The vandals also entered the sanctum where the deities are housed, trampling upon sacred areas and vandalising the Vasant Mandapan, a structure used for religious ceremonies. They went on to damage cupboards containing sacred clothing for the deities, causing further devastation.
The most egregious act was the breaking of the Shiva Lingam, a revered symbol of Lord Shiva. The senseless destruction of this sacred object has left the community deeply hurt and shaken.
Temple President Thamo Sritharan, who was busy coordinating preparations for the Diwali Mela, was informed of the incident by the temple priest around 3 pm when he returned from his break.
The police were immediately called to both temples and have since begun their inquiries. CCTV footage showed the black Honda van had a Victorian number plate, but it is yet to be determined if the van or number plate was stolen.
Speaking to The Australia Today, President Sritharan expressed the community’s anguish: “It’s very disheartening to see a break-in of this nature that disturbs the Hindu community. Targeting a place of worship is unacceptable. We need protection to ensure this doesn’t happen again, to strengthen the values of harmony and peace within the ACT community.”
He also urged the newly elected government to provide greater support and ensure the protection of temples and the Hindu community:
“I would like to urge the newly elected government to provide the support needed to ensure the protection of our temples and community.”
The attack on the temples came as the Hindu community in Canberra was preparing for one of their most significant festivals, making the incident even more painful. The community hopes for swift action by authorities to bring the perpetrators to justice and prevent such acts of violence in the future.
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