India on Monday described the vandalism of the BAPS Swaminarayan Temple in New York City as ‘unacceptable’.
“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,” the Indian Consulate in New York posted on X.
The Hindu American Foundation asked the Justice Department and Department of Homeland Security to ‘investigate’ the attack.
The organisation also shared a video footage on its X page showing the way the temple has been vandalised by miscreants.
“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 Hindu organisation posted on X.
Hindu American Foundation executive director Suhag Shukla said: “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. @SCPDHq @TheJusticeDept,” she said.
Indian American Congressman Ro Khanna has condemned the attack on Hindu temple in the US city.
“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,” he said.
Where is Melville?
The temple is located in Melville, Suffolk County, on Long Island. It is just 28-kilometres away from the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum.
Indian PM Narendra Modi is scheduled to address a community event in the Coliseum on September 22.
