Vandals attack Tarneit’s SMVS Swaminarayan Sanstha Mandir — the eighth attack on the sacred site

The Indian-Hindu community in Melbourne has been left in shock and outrage after a sacred temple was targeted by vandals just a day before a major festival celebration — marking the eighth attack on the site.

The Indian-Hindu community in Melbourne has been outraged after a sacred temple was targeted by vandals — making it the eighth attack on the site.

The SMVS Swaminarayan Sanstha Mandir — located at 435 Davis Rd in Tarneit — was left in ruins with Hindu deities and sculptures thrown to the floor after unknown offenders forced their way into the sacred space last week.

A temple volunteer was alerted by a phone notification that someone had entered the premises. Upon arriving at the site, the volunteer was confronted by two utes — with stolen plates — whose occupants attempted to intimidate him.

Vandals rummaged through boxes and cupboards of the temple. Photo: supplied.

This latest attack adds to a long 10-year history of vandalism, theft, firebombing, and property destruction at the temple.

Swaminarayan Sanstha Mandir director and volunteer Viren Joshi said the spate of attacks often coincided with major temple events — this time, just a day before Holi and Founders Day celebrations.

“It’s always before events, and then we cannot do the event,” he said.

“Every time they break in, they vandalise new things and ensure electricity is cut off. Not every time, but in most cases.

“Once they blew out the metre box so that we don’t have power — It was exactly before Diwali.”

Holy sculptures and deities were destroyed during the attack on the SMVS Swaminarayan Sanstha temple. Photo: Supplied.

Mr Joshi said the offenders never stole anything significant but did enough damage to ruin festivities.

“Once they had firebombed the meter box using the gas bottles. Another time they just cut off the wires,” he said

“They have rammed a ute into the temple wall and disappeared. Everyone is just tired of this.”

Mr Joshi said the temple has repeatedly asked the council to upgrade safety measures around the temple but says it has fallen on deaf ears.

“The temple’s road leads to a no through road, and we are the only property there … we have asked the council and even got a support letter from our police that there should be a (street) public lighting there, but council just denied it,” he said.

The SMVS Swaminarayan Sanstha Mandir has again been attacked by vandals. Photo: Supplied.

Hindu Council of Australia’s national secretary, Shoba Deshikan said the attacks were a “direct assault on religious freedom, cultural heritage” and the “fundamental right to safety for the Hindu community”.

“These repeated attacks on temples are deeply hurting our religious sentiments and creating a climate of fear and is preventing devotees from peacefully visiting their place of worship,” she said.

“A temple must be a place of worship … free from threats, fear and violence. No community should have to think twice before entering their sacred space.”

Ms Deshikan labelled the attacks as “brazen and targeted hate crimes” which have “instilled fear and anxiety among devotees who, as a result, “live under constant threat”.

“Enough is enough. The lack of stringent action and accountability has emboldened perpetrators to contribute their violent and criminal action with impunity,” she said.

“Allowing these attacks to persist sends a dangerous message that faith-based violence can go unchecked.”

Ms Deshikan called on the authorities to increase police surveillance at the temple and conduct an intensive investigation.

A Victoria Police spokeswoman confirmed they were investigating the attacks on the Hindu temple but were not treating it as a hate crime.

Wyndham council has been contacted for comment.