A Hindu temple in Australia's city of Melbourne has been defaced with anti-India graffiti, media reports said on Thursday.
Terrifying slogans that read "Hindu-stan Murdabad" ("death to India"), along with "Modi Hitler" and "Sant Bhindranwale Martyr," were found on the wall of the BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir located in Melbourne's northern suburb of Mill Park, indicating that they were most probably perpetrated Khalistan demonstrators.
"We are very disturbed and shocked by these acts of destruction and hatred," the Swaminarayan Mandir said in a statement to Australian media.
Evan Mulholland, Liberal MP for the Northern Metropolitan Region, also expressed sorrow over the vandalism "especially at this holy time".
It is also reported that Khalistani supporters recorded a video of the incident and are now actively sharing it on social media, presenting it as an act of "bravery".
Who is Sant Bhindranwale?
Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, whose name appeared on the defaced temple's wall, was a Khalistan separatist killed along with his armed supporters during "Operation Bluestar" in 1984.
Operation Bluestar was carried out by the Indian Army to flush out militants who took control of the Sikh's holiest shrine, the Golden Temple, in June 1984. According to the Indian government, about 400 people, including 87 soldiers, were killed in that attack.
Khalistan supporters are agitating for an independent separate homeland for Sikhs.