Lawmakers, Community Leaders Condemn Vandalism at BAPS Temple in New York
- The drive way and sign outside the temple premise were spray painted with threatening and derogatory anti-Hindu messages.
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.
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
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.
In a post on X, Rep. Grace Meng (D-N.Y.) write that thereās āno place for hate & intolerance in our community.ā
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
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
— Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (@CongressmanRaja) September 17, 2024
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.
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.
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