India on Thursday slammed the defacing of three Hindu temples with anti-India graffiti in Victoria, a province of Australia.
Last week, the Swaminarayan temple and ISKCON temple, both located in Melbourne, and the historic Shri Shiva Vishnu Temple in Carrum Downs were painted with offensive slogans that read "Hindustan Murdabad" ("death to India") and "Modi Hitler".
"The frequency and impunity with which the vandals appear to be operating are alarming, as are the graffiti which include the glorification of anti-Indian terrorists," the Indian High Commission in Canberra said in a statement.
The high commission also emphasized, "that pro-Khalistan elements are stepping up their activities in Australia, actively aided and abetted by members of proscribed terrorist organizations such as the Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) and other inimical agencies from outside Australia."
Moreover, the Indian diplomatic mission in the Australian capital also raised questions about the pro-Khalistan referendum announced by the group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), scheduled for next week in Melbourne and Sydney.
The Indian authorities in Australia urged Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's government to look after the security of the Indian community based there.
The High Commission further requested that the local administration ensure that Australian territory isn't used for anti-India activities.
Earlier this month, the Australian High Commission in Delhi expressed concerns over such episodes, adding that the incidents were being probed.
"Like India, Australia is a proud, multicultural country. We have been shocked at the vandalism of two Hindu temples in Melbourne, and Australian authorities are investigating. Our strong support for freedom of expression does not include hate speech or violence," Australia's High Commissioner to India Barry O'Farrell tweeted.