A day after a vicious assault on an Indian student in Adelaide, racial hatred struck again in Melbourne’s eastern suburb of Boronia. The Shree Swaminarayan Temple and two nearby Asian-run restaurants were defaced with hateful graffiti on July 21, including a spray-painted image of Adolf Hitler alongside the words “Go Home Brown C**T”.

Police confirmed at least four sites—including a healing centre on Mountain Highway—were vandalized in a coordinated act. Authorities are treating the incidents as linked, and an investigation is underway.

Makrand Bhagwat, President of the Victoria chapter of the Hindu Council of Australia, expressed deep shock: “Our temple is meant to be a sanctuary of peace, devotion and unity… To have it targeted in this way feels like an attack on our identity, our right to worship and freedom of religion”.

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan, though not publicly commenting, conveyed solidarity in a private message to temple authorities. She described the vandalism as “hateful and racist,” emphasised it was “designed to intimidate, isolate and spread fear,” and assured swift government support.

These hate-fuelled acts follow a brutal attack on 23-year-old Charanpreet Singh in Adelaide, who was assaulted and racially abused during a parking dispute, prompting national outrage.

The incidents have intensified calls for stronger hate crime protections and public dialogue on tolerance. Community leaders demand justice—and assurance that Australia’s diversity is safeguarded.