Gurdwara attack: Congress calls for action from Australian govt

The Congress today expressed concern over the attack on a gurdwara in Melbourne and demanded that the Australian government take responsibility and stern steps to maintain law and order.

"What continues to happen in Australia is very sad. An attempt was made to burn a part of a gurdwara building. It is a premeditated attack. It is time that the Australian government takes responsibility to maintain and uphold the rule of law," party spokesperson Manish Tiwari told reporters here.

Mentioning the recent spate of racial attacks that have taken place in Australia on Indians, Tiwari said the government there should tell the people of India how many of the attackers have been arrested and punished.

"Mere homilies from the Australian government won't do. It is time the Australians walked the talk," Tiwari said. As long as the Australian government does not recognise that there is a problem and does not take strict action, the attacks will not stop, he said.

But he maintained that "nobody is saying that Australia is a racial country". Tiwari said that tough action is required against the attackers so that there is a level of deterrence.