Hindu Leaders Call for Greater Unity at 8th Australian National Hindu Conference in Perth

GG News Bureau
Perth, 6th May: The 8th Australian National Hindu Conference, organised by the Vishva Hindu Parishad of Australia Inc. and hosted by its Western Australia chapter, was held with great enthusiasm and participation at the Duxton Hotel in Perth on Saturday. Themed “Dynamic Communities: Vibrant Australia,” the conference brought together over 230 delegates from across the country, representing more than 40 Hindu temples, cultural associations, organisations, and youth groups.

Reflecting Australia’s multicultural fabric, the delegates hailed from over 20 countries, including India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Mauritius, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Singapore, South Africa, Fiji, the United Kingdom, and others. The event aimed to foster unity among Hindu communities and strengthen their role in shaping Australia’s social and civic landscape.

The conference was graced by several high-ranking dignitaries, including His Excellency Gopal Baglay, High Commissioner of India to Australia; Western Australia’s Attorney General Dr. Tony Buti; and Members of Parliament Dr. Parwinder Kaur and Dr. Jagdish Krishnan. Also in attendance were Deputy Lord Mayor of Perth Bruce Reynolds, mayors from multiple cities including Canning, Cockburn, and Gosnells, and senior officials from the WA Police, Department of Education, and Office of Multicultural Interests.

Key sessions focused on enhancing collaboration with government agencies, building unity among Hindu organisations, and nurturing future Hindu leadership. In her address, Smt. Praveena Mittal, President of VHP WA, highlighted the remarkable achievements of the Hindu community in Australia using 2021 census data. She pointed out that 64% of Hindus in Australia hold university degrees—far above the national average of 26%. Additionally, 32% of Hindus are qualified professionals, compared to the national figure of 24%, and the average Hindu household earns $2,461 per week, well above the Australian average of $1,746.

Despite these achievements, Mittal raised concerns about the underrepresentation of Hindus in key public spheres such as politics, judiciary, media, public service, and law enforcement. She stressed the importance of greater visibility and representation of the Hindu community in shaping Australia’s future.

The event marked several major milestones, including the official launch of HOTA WA (Hindu Organisations, Temples, and Associations), a state-level umbrella body designed to unify efforts and strategically engage with government and society. Another important step was the launch of Hindu Youth Australia – Western Australia Chapter, aimed at empowering the next generation of Hindu leaders. The conference also promoted the upcoming World Hindu Economic Forum 2025, to be held in Adelaide on August 2–3. A joint resolution was passed to enhance the public portrayal of Hindu achievements and contributions across media and civic platforms.

Leaders from states like South Australia, Victoria, Queensland, and New South Wales shared the success of their HOTA models, which have already created stronger, more coordinated Hindu communities. Inspired by their experiences, Western Australia officially launched its own HOTA chapter, signaling a new phase of strategic collaboration and unity.

Subramanian Ramamoorthi, National President of VHP Australia, encapsulated the spirit of the event by stating, “This was more than a conference—it was a catalyst for community transformation. We are building not only temples of brick and stone but communities of trust, collaboration, and vision.”

The Vishva Hindu Parishad of Australia Inc., a 35-year-old national non-profit, continues to play a pivotal role in promoting Hindu Dharma, nurturing cultural identity, and advancing community development through service, education, youth engagement, and interfaith dialogue.