Consulate General of India in New York on Monday (local time) condemned the vandalisation of the BAPS Swaminarayan Temple in Melville, New York, and said that it has raised the matter with the US authorities from prompt action against the perpetrators of the “heinous act”.
Hindu Temple In New York Vandalised
Why InNews
- Consulate General of India in New York on Monday (local time) condemned the vandalisation of the BAPS Swaminarayan Temple in Melville, New York, and said that it has raised the matter with the US authorities from prompt action against the perpetrators of the “heinous act”.
All About The Issue
- In a post on X, the consulate said, “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 US law enforcement authorities for prompt action against the perpetrators of this heinous act.”
- In a statement, the Indian Consulate in New York said that it was in contact with the local community and has also raised the issue with US law enforcement authorities to ensure prompt action against those responsible for this “heinous act”.
- Meanwhile, a Hindu-American organisation also condemned the attack and sought a probe from the US government.
- “The @TheJusticeDept & @DHSgov must investigate this attack on the @BAPS 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 group posted on X.
- Notably, Melville, a town in Suffolk County on Long Island, lies approximately 28 kilometers from the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to address a mega community event on September 22.
- Many videos shared on social media showed expletives being defaced on the road and on signage outside the temple. Despite the incident, the temple plans to proceed with its scheduled prayer meeting later this afternoon.
- This incident comes around the time, when the Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun had recently issued threats against Hindu and Indian institutions.
- Thus, linking this vandalism to similar incidents in California and Canada. The Hindu American foundation also highlighted, that the vandalism in New York aligns with threats made by Pannun and other attacks on temples in various locations.
- “It is hard to comprehend the absolute cowardice of those who would attack a Hindu temple to air hatred for an elected leader. This attack, following recent threats at Hindu and Indian institutions, must be seen in the context of that threat scenario,” Shukla wrote on X
- Earlier, a BAPS Swaminarayan Temple in Edmonton, Canada was defaced with anti-India graffiti threatening Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Indian-origin Canadian MP Chandra Arya.
- Notably, there have been a series of attacks on Hindu temples in Canada, previously attributed to pro-Khalistani groups, that threatened to further strain the frosty relations between India and Canada.
- India said these attacks on temples have become a recurring occurrence and added these incidents were done with a purpose which is not difficult to fathom.
- “We have seen a number of such incidents in recent times in Canada. The lack of action against the perpetrators has further emboldened such criminal elements. Those advocating and responsible for extremism and violence need to be brought to justice or else the rule of law and respect for pluralism in Canada will continue to be severely undermined,” said the Ministry of External Affairs.
