Melbourne: Threatening phone calls were made to a Hindu temple in Melbourne, Australia, telling them to cancel a religious event or face "consequences." According to a media source, a man speaking in Punjabi called the priestess of the Kali Mata Temple in Melbourne's Craigieburn neighbourhood.
Bhawna, the priestess, claimed to have received a call from an unknown number. A guy warned Bhawna to cancel a bhajan (spiritual) performance on March 4 by a vocalist, whom he claimed was a kattar (staunch) hindu, while speaking in "Amritsar-Jalandhar" Punjabi, Bhawna said.
"Twannu pata hai vo banda kattar Hindu hai, vo aaya te panga ho jana hai mandir te (you know that the singer is a staunch Hindu. If he comes, there will be trouble at the temple)," the caller said, as per Bhawna.
Talking to media, priestess Bhawna said, "I pleaded with him, bhai ji this is Ma Kali’s (Hindu Goddess Kali) place, even Guru Maharaj (Guru Govind Singh) used to pray here. Why would someone come and fight here?"
Devotees pelt stones, coconuts after clash erupts over beating drums in Tamil Nadu. Lately, Hindu temples have been targeted in Australia and other nations by people supporting the Khalistani movement.
In January this year, Shri Shiva Vishnu Temple in Carrum Downs was vandalised during the “Thai Pongal” festival.
On January 12, the Swaminarayan temple in Melbourne was defaced by 'anti-social elements' with anti-India graffiti.
In Canada's Mississauga, a Ram Temple was vandalised last week when vandals scrawled anti-Indian graffiti on the walls. Outrage at the incident caused the Indian Consulate General in Toronto to urge immediate action.