Lawmakers, community leaders and representatives from various organizations have condemned the vandalism at the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Melville, New York. On Sept. 16, drive way and sign outside the temple was spray painted with threatening and derogatory anti-Hindu messages. The Suffolk County Police Hates Crimes Unit is investigating the criminal mischief incident as a hate crime.
Deeply saddened by the desecration of our BAPS Mandir in Melville, NY, an act aimed at inciting hatred against Hindus. Today, local, state & federal leaders gathered to promote peace, respect & unity. Guided by our faith, we stand united against hate with compassion & solidarity. pic.twitter.com/ERvM1m1AZF
The incident comes a few days ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modiās U.S. visit from Sept. 21-23 to attend the fourth Quad Leadersā Summit and the United Nations General Assembly in New York. He is also scheduled to address a gathering of the Indian community on Sep. 22.
In a statement, the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha āstronglyā condemned the incident and prayed for peace amongst all communities. āPeace, respect, and harmony for all regardless of background or faith are the bedrock of religious freedom in the United States,ā read the statement.
The Consulate General of India in New York also denounced the vandalism, calling the act āunacceptable.ā The consulate is in touch with the community and has raised the matter with U.S. law enforcement authorities āfor prompt action against the perpetrators of this heinous act.ā
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.ā¦
Several community leaders and lawmakers gathered at the temple site on Sept. 16 to offer prayers for peace and unity and were supported by local, state and federal leaders representing Long Island. They included Reps. Nick LaLota, Tom Suozzi, Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine, Deputy New York State Assembly Speaker Phil Ramos, New York State Senator Mario Mattera, New York State Assemblyman Keith Brown, and New York State Assemblyman Steve Stern, among others.
There is too much hate!
I am appalled by the hideous acts of vandalism targeting the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Melville. Such acts of vandalism, bigotry, and hate are happening far too often because of inflammatory rhetoric by national leaders, extremism, and lack ofā¦ pic.twitter.com/LoO5htkTHU
I am disgusted by the vandalism of Melvilleās BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir. There is no room for this kind of hate and vitriol in a civilized society. I stand with Long Islandās Hindu community and condemn this act unequivocally. https://t.co/nPBIEUcgtw
The vandalism of the BAPS Temple in Melville, NY is not only a vile act of hate against the #Hindu community but also an unjust attack on our shared value of religious pluralism.
I stand with Hindu Americans. Those responsible must be prosecuted to the law's fullest extent. https://t.co/v6pcuwsl3L
In a post on X, Rep. Grace Meng (D-N.Y.) write that thereās āno place for hate & intolerance in our community.ā
I am appalled to learn that @BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Melville was targeted by vandals. There is no place for hate & intolerance in our community. I stand with the Hindu community as they pray for peace & unity. Those responsible for these crimes must be held accountable. https://t.co/5qf24Ecwwv
Several members of the Congress also condemned the incident. Noting that āfreedom of worship is a bedrock of our democracy,ā he wrote that āthere is no place for acts of intimidation, harassment or violence. We need accountability and to make sure this does not happen again.ā
I strongly condemn this act of desecration of a Hindu temple in Melville, NY. Freedom of worship is a bedrock of our democracy. There is no place for acts of intimidation, harassment or violence. We need accountability and to make sure this does not happen again. https://t.co/969kNPsG6f
āI am appalled by the despicable acts of vandalism targeting the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Melville,ā wrote Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.). āAs our country faces a surge in political violence and acts of bigotry, we must stand together as Americans against all forms of hate.ā
I am appalled by the despicable acts of vandalism targeting the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Melville. As our country faces a surge in political violence and acts of bigotry, we must stand together as Americans against all forms of hate. https://t.co/Q46DdD9rwb
Rep. Shri Thanedar (D-Mich.) noted that āsuch acts of vandalism, bigotry, and hate must be fully investigated. The BAPS community deserves answers and justice.
This is totally unacceptable. I strongly condemn the hideous acts of vandalism targeting the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Melville. Such acts of vandalism, bigotry, and hate must be fully investigated. The BAPS community deserves answers and justice. https://t.co/IJbfvBKbHw
I too am deeply saddened by the desecration of the BAPS Mandir in Melville, NY. This act of vandalism is a clear attempt to incite hatred against Hindus and has no place in our country. We must come together to show that love and understanding will always triumph over intoleranceā¦ https://t.co/2v1sNimcDH
The Hindu American Foundation (HAF) also called on the U.S. Justice Department to investigate the attack as the threats to Hindu institutions are seen ahead of Modiās visit to New York.
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. pic.twitter.com/S52x8yPNs8
This is the third reported incident of vandalism at a Hindu temple in the past few months. In January this year, the Vijayās Sherawali Temple in Hayward, California was desecrated with pro-Khalistani slogans. The temple was spray-painted with slogans such as āKhalistan Zindabadā and āModi is terrorist.ā
Two weeks before the Hayward incident, the Swaminarayan Mandir Vasana Sanstha in Newark, California, was defaced with pro-Khalistan, anti-Modi and anti-India slogans. The outer wall of the temple was defaced with slogans such as āKhalistanā, āShaheed [Martyr] Bhindrawaleā, āF$%k Modi Jindabadā and āModi Is Terrorist.ā
