PA/08/10 1 February 2010
Australian government welcomes statement by the Gurdwara Council of Victoria
The Australian High Commissioner, Mr Peter Varghese, has welcomed a statement by the Gurdwara Council of Victoria (text below) on investigations into the fire that broke out at the partially completed Nanaksar Thath Isher Darbar Sikh temple on Evans Road in Lynbrook in Melbourne on 13 January.
The High Commissioner said, “As I have mentioned before, Australia is committed to bringing to swift justice the perpetrators of attacks on members of the Indian community. The statement by the Gurdwara Council of Victoria acknowledges that the Victorian police have been highly cooperative, diligent and professional in carrying out their investigation of the first.”
“I would once again urge everyone to allow investigations to run their course and not to jump to conclusions based on initial reports. The statement issued by the Gurdwara Council noted that although investigations have not uncovered any race or religion-related motive behind the fire at the temple, the investigators are keeping an open mind as they proceed with their investigation”, Mr Varghese added.
Australia’s police forces and courts will continue to come down hard on all instances of violence and ensure peace and security for everyone.
Fire at Sikh Temple in Lynbrook - Statement issued by the Gurdwara Council of Victoria
On Wednesday 13 January, 2010, a blaze broke out at the partially completed Nanaksar Thath Isher Darbar Sikh temple on Evans Road in Lynbrook at around 12.30am (AEST).
The Guru Granth Sahib Ji (Sikh Holy Scripture) is in the Main Building which is away from this incomplete and affected building.
The Sikh temple, known as a Gurdwara, is in the middle of a large empty field in front of a sprawling housing estate at Lynbrook, located in Melbourne's outer south eastern suburbs.
Police are currently undertaking an ongoing investigation regarding the circumstances of the fire. Three Molotov cocktails and a jerry can containing petrol were found by authorities inside incomplete building of the temple. Detective Senior Constable Paul Stow confirmed that "a number of items were located to suggest accelerant was used".
Despite initial police reports indicating a group of teens had lit "a couple of small fires" in piles of rubbish inside the temple; Constable Stow said police believed the arson to be a "deliberately lit fire" rather than a bonfire that had burned out of control.
Constable Stow, in charge of the investigation, said the fire was being treated as suspicious but detectives were yet to establish whether race or religion had motivated the arsonists. Constable Stow stated that "At this stage there is nothing to suggest it is [race-related] other than the fact that it happened to a temple". A police spokeswoman later revealed that investigators were keeping an open mind about the investigation.
Raj Singh, a representative of the temple, said that the authorities from the City of Casey, CFA and Victoria Police have been extremely cooperative in their investigations, stating, “Officers from Victoria Police have to be highly commended on their level of diligence and professionalism shown in carrying out their investigations. The police have been updating us on a daily basis on their progress and I have assured the Sikh congregation that we are in good hands.”
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Press statement issued by Master Darshan Singh on behalf of Gurdwara Council Victoria. Please feel free to call Master Darshan Singh on 0422 136 779, (03) 9894 18 00 or email at [email protected] .
Community initiatives
In a unique case of community initiative to bring the Indian and Australian communities closer together, a digital media designer in Australia, Ms Mia Northrop is organising a ‘Vindaloo Against Violence’ program on 24 February. On this day, Melburnians will be encouraged to dine at an Indian restaurant or just dine on Indian food as a step towards bringing the two communities together. More information on the initiative can be found at http://vindalooagainstviolence.wordpress.com/about/
Media enquiries: 011 4139 9900