The Australian Campletown-MacArthur Advertiser reports on “Hindu temple claims attack on religion”:
Photograph showing destruction at Hindu temple (Photo: Carlos Furtado)
IT STARTED off as a few graffiti tags on the side of Mukti Gupteshwar Mandir Shiva Hindu Temple in Eagleview Road, Minto.
But last week things got worse.
Offenders destroyed a 200-metre fence and forced their way into the temple before smashing light fixtures on Monday, April 19. They damaged property worth more than $5000.
The attack happened between 3pm and 5pm.
Minto Hindu Society president Prem Misra said local religious followers were being victimised.
‘‘We have spent more than $3000 on community activities and to cop this sort of treatment is nonsense,’’ he said. ‘‘I can’t understand why they would deliberately do this. Why does it keep happening to us? One can only conclude this is an attack on our religion.’’
The temple was built in 1991 after Campbelltown Council controversially approved the development in a scenic protection area. The proposal included a temple structure built partially below ground level to give the illusion that the building was underground.
Mr Misra said when he walked onto the property after the recent attack, he found broken light fittings, a section of fence missing and smashed glass.
‘‘This is illegal, immoral and unethical. This is obviously a place of worship so it’s just not right. It’s stirred up a lot of people’s emotions and we don’t want to create this type of tension in our community.