BAPS temple in New York ‘vandalised’, India reacts sharply: ‘Unacceptable’
- In Reports
- 11:29 AM, Sep 17, 2024
- Myind Staff
The Consulate General of India in New York has strongly criticised the vandalism at the BAPS Swaminarayan Temple in Melville, describing it as "unacceptable."
The Consulate has also informed US law enforcement about the issue and urged them to take quick action against those responsible for the crime.
In a post on X, the Consulate General of India in New York stated, “The vandalism of the BAPS Swaminarayan Temple in Melville, New York, is unacceptable; The Consulate @IndiainNewYork is in touch with the community and has raised the matter with U.S. law enforcement authorities for prompt action against the perpetrators of this heinous act.”
In the meantime, the Hindu American Foundation has called on the US Justice Department to investigate the attack on the BAPS Hindu Temple in New York.
In a post X, the Hindu American Foundation stated, “Hindu temple in Melville, NY shared by OnTheNewsBeat after recent threats to Hindu institutions as a large Indian community gathering is planned in nearby Nassau County this weekend.”
The foundation also noted that Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun had recently released a video threatening Hindu and Indian institutions. It pointed out that the vandalism in New York is similar to previous attacks on temples in California and Canada.
"Gurpatwant Pannun, of "Sikhs for Justice," recently posted a video threatening Hindu and Indian institutions, including HAF, as the community event approaches. The vandalism is similar to that seen in attacks on temples in New York, California and Canada & called out by @CongressmanRaja @RoKhanna @ShriThanedar @PramilaJayapal @BeraForCongress @shuvmajumdar and other political leaders," Hindu American Foundation wrote on X.
Suhag Shukla, executive director of the Hindu American Foundation called the act as “absolute cowardice” that was aimed to “air hatred for an elected leader”.
Reacting to the incident, BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) in a press release said, “strongly condemns these acts” and “prays for peace amongst all communities”. The trust said it is working to cooperate with the US authorities to support their investigation into this alleged “hate crime”.
In July, the BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir in Edmonton, Canada, was also vandalised. Canadian MP Chandra Arya expressed serious concern about the rising incidents of hate-driven violence targeting Hindu-Canadian communities.
In a post on X, Chandra Arya stated, “The Hindu temple BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir in Edmonton is vandalised again. During the last few years, Hindu temples in the Greater Toronto Area, British Columbia, and other places in Canada are being vandalised with hateful graffiti.”
Image source: ANI
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