Hindu temples in Christchurch and Auckland have been targeted recently with intimidating letters.
These letters contained derogatory and offensive messages with quotations purportedly from the
Quran denouncing Hindu worship practices.

The reports in media outlets caused widespread concerns among the community. To ensure correct
information is available with the community, Nitika Sharma, General Secretary of Hindu Council of
New Zealand (HCNZ), recently spoke on Radio Tarana, a Hindi radio station, on this incident.
“This is an attempt to alienate the Hindus, their practices, and devotees. This is not the socially
cohesive Aotearoa that we all have been creating,” said Surinder Tandon, Chair of HCNZ,
Christchurch chapter.

Surinder Tandon has been at the forefront to coordinate the response on the ground working
closely with the three Hindu temple management committees in Christchurch who have been
targeted. These Hindu temples have filed complaints to the NZ Police. The NZ Police met with the
temple executives and have reiterated support and encouraged them to touch base directly.
“We are reaching out to all the religious communities and their leaders to lookout for any
suspicious character(s) who are out to disturb the peaceful coexistence of the diverse religious
communities in the Greater Christchurch region,” he added.

Similar threatening letters have been received by temples in Auckland, resulting in a meeting with
the Minister of Ethnic Communities, Diversity, and Inclusion Priyanca Radhakrishnan and a few
temple leaders. Hindu community leaders are also working with NZ Police in Auckland.

NZ Police Ethnic Partnerships Superintendent Rakesh Naidoo and his team have been working
closely with the ethnic communities and we believe positive things will come out following the
investigation of this incident. NZ Police should take serious actions on individuals who make any
attempts to disrupt the communal harmony in New Zealand through disruptive and harmful
activities.

The Hindu community is largely a law-abiding, peace-loving, and contributing community. Such
disturbing incidents causes fear among the temple going devotees. The vulnerable members of the
Hindu community may feel threatened and concerned about security of not only their temples and
culture centres but also personal safety.

“Hindu Council of New Zealand and HOTA (Hindu Organisations, Temples and Associations) Forum
have been using a multi-prong approach to address this issue,” said Selva Ramasami, Hindu Council representative in the Crowded Places Community Advisory Group (CPCAG). CPCAG is supported by the NZ Police – Community, Partnerships & Prevention – Iwi and Communities Team.

The Crowded Places Strategy is an all of government strategy to help enable owners and operators
of crowded places protect the lives of people working in and visiting crowded places such as
temples.

We have received advice from the Prevention Adviser, Crowded Places to make the temples safer.
The information is being distributed to Hindu community through HOTA Forum. The aim is to
inform people on what they can do that may prevent an attack.

Hindu Council of New Zealand has partnered with Community Patrols of New Zealand (CPNZ) to
improve the security around the temples. Since 22 July 2023, the Community Patrol has been
patrolling the temples in Christchurch. Chris Lawton, Chairman of CPNZ, is encouraging all the
temples around the New Zealand to provide their location to their local Community Patrol for them
to include in their patrolling.

Christchurh Multicultural Council, Chair Surinder Tandon, has also denounced the intimidating
letters and stand together with the community in solidarity. This incident is of concern to all faith
groups. Multicultural New Zealand organised a meeting to discuss the incident. The meeting
participants “unequivocally condemned the letters and its contents”.

The Hindu Community have been receiving messages of support from the Interfaith Council
members in person, phone calls and through emails. Christchurch Interfaith Council members were
welcomed to one of the Hindu temples on 26 July, who were there to show solidarity with the
Hindu community. Such messages and show of support have been gratefully received and are very
welcome.

The letters are currently being investigated for an appropriate response from the NZ Police to
address the Law-and-Order issue. “We are happy with the response thus far and have full
confidence in the police with the ongoing investigation,” said Selva Ramasami. He went on to add
“If there are anyone who have received similar letters, please do not ignore them. Please report to
the NZ Police and inform the HCNZ via [email protected]”.

There is, however, a need to address the fear amongst the vulnerable members of the Hindu
community. The Government agencies who are responsible to promote social cohesion, diversity
and inclusion have an important role to support the community.

HOTA Forum will be organising meetings with the executives / office bearers of Hindu
organisations, temples and associations, and community volunteers, leaders, women, and youth to
consult with them and develop a long-term action plan in our engagement with government
agencies to explore the options to support the victims of such incidents.

We are looking forward to continuing the discussion with the relevant agencies and community
organisations through HOTA Forum.

For more information, please contact:
Selva Ramasami
021 178 8318
[email protected]