Lawmakers, Community Leaders Condemn Vandalism at BAPS Temple in New York

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

— BAPS Public Affairs (@BAPS_PubAffairs) September 16, 2024

The incident comes a few days ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s U.S. visit from Sept. 21-23 to attend the fourth Quad Leaders’ 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 “strongly” condemned the incident and prayed for peace amongst all communities.  “Peace, respect, and harmony for all regardless of background or faith are the bedrock of religious freedom in the United States,” read the statement. 

The Consulate General of India in New York also denounced  the vandalism, calling the act “unacceptable.” The consulate 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.”

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.…

— India in New York (@IndiainNewYork) September 16, 2024

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 of… pic.twitter.com/LoO5htkTHU

— Tom Suozzi (@RepTomSuozzi) September 16, 2024

I am disgusted by the vandalism of Melville’s BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir. There is no room for this kind of hate and vitriol in a civilized society. I stand with Long Island’s Hindu community and condemn this act unequivocally. https://t.co/nPBIEUcgtw

— Rep. Andrew Garbarino (@RepGarbarino) September 18, 2024

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

— Congressman Brad Sherman (@BradSherman) September 17, 2024

In a post on X, Rep. Grace Meng (D-N.Y.) write that there’s “no place for hate & intolerance in our community.”

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

— Grace Meng (@RepGraceMeng) September 17, 2024

Several members of the Congress also condemned the incident. Noting that “freedom of worship is a bedrock of our democracy,” he wrote that “there is no place for acts of intimidation, harassment or violence. We need accountability and to make sure this does not happen again.”

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

— Ro Khanna (@RoKhanna) September 17, 2024

“I am appalled by the despicable acts of vandalism targeting the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Melville,” wrote Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.). “As our country faces a surge in political violence and acts of bigotry, we must stand together as Americans against all forms of hate.”

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

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— Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (@CongressmanRaja) September 17, 2024

Rep. Shri Thanedar (D-Mich.) noted that “such 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

— Shri Thanedar (@ShriThanedar) September 17, 2024

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 intolerance… https://t.co/2v1sNimcDH

— Congressman Rich McCormick, MBA MD (@RepMcCormick) September 17, 2024

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 Modi’s 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

— Hindu American Foundation (@HinduAmerican) September 16, 2024

This is the third reported incident of vandalism at a Hindu temple in the past few months. In January this year, the Vijay’s Sherawali Temple in Hayward, California was desecrated with pro-Khalistani slogans. The temple was spray-painted with slogans such as “Khalistan Zindabad” and “Modi is terrorist.”

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 “Khalistan”, “Shaheed [Martyr] Bhindrawale”, “F$%k Modi Jindabad” and “Modi Is Terrorist.”