MELBOURNE, 28 November 2024: Victoria’s Premier Jacinta Allan today came down heavily on those dividing Victorians on the Berwick Springs lake being named ‘Guru Nanak Lake’ and called it political. And said, her government, local Labor members strongly with the local sikh community and multicultural communities across Victoria. ThePremier was addressing faith leaders who released a statement to “stand in solidarity with the Sikh community and the rise of racism.”
The faith leaders statement comes after a campaign of vilification against the local sikh community relating to the recent naming of a lake as ‘Guru Nanak Lake’ by the Victorian Government. A petition by some locals and backed by opposition MPs the anti-lake naming campaign based on misinformation pushed the faith leaders to express solidarity with the Sikh community.
The statement says, ” To the Sikh community: you are not alone. Your hurt is our hurt, and your strength is our strength. We appreciate the universal values of Guru Nanak of serving humanity selflessly – no matter their cast, creed, or background – and nurturing our natural environment tp promote equality and togetherness.”
Jasbir Singh Suropada, Sikh Interfaith Council Victoria addressed faith leaders:
In her address the Premier said politics was driving opposition to the naming of the lake and the naming was a reflection of multicultural communities contribution to Victorian society. She gave examples of how the Sikh community worked for everyone during the pandemic and disasters. This naming, she said, was our gesture to the Sikh community for their community work.
The statement of faith leaders has been signed by Christian, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim, Sikh, Greek community, and many community, ethnic organisations, interfaith networks, Intercultural bodies among others.
The issue has come up amid the Victorian government’s proposed ant-racism strategy to make the state free of hate. A petition to support the lake naming has, according to a reliable source, mustered more than 8,000 signatures.
