In a shocking incident, BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Melville, New York, was vandalised on September 16 with hate messages inscribed on the sign of the temple outside the gate. According to the reports, the act of vandalism was carried out at the temple at 2 Deshon Drive.
Suffolk county police hates crimes unit detectives are investigating the incident as a hate crime. Meanwhile, Consulate General of India in New York has strongly condemned the vandalism of the BAPS Swaminarayan Temple in Melville, calling the act as “unacceptable.” The matter has been raised with US agencies.
,“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,” Consulate General wrote in a post on X.
https://twitter.com/IndiainNewYork/status/1835733692162965877?t=eh-_G60VhtnDsc1Tf-BKeA&s=08
BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Melville, New York, in a statement said, “Unfortunately, this is not an isolated incident. Similar acts of desecration have occurred at various Hindu Mandirs across North America.”
“We strongly condemn these acts and pray 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,” the statement further reads.
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“The BAPS Mandir in Melville, New York, like all BAPS Mandirs worldwide, stands as a beacon of peace, harmony, equality, selfless service, and universal Hindu values. Upon learning of the hateful vandalism, the local authorities were called, and BAPS is working fully with the authorities to support their investigation into this hate crime,” BAPS statement reads.
Further, the community members alongwith some of the US lawmakers gathered today at the site of the desecration to offer prayers for peace and unity and were supported by local leaders representing Long Island, including U.S. Rep. Nick LaLota, U.S. Rep. Tom Suozzi.
“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,” Congressman Nick LaLota said.
Tom Suozzi said, “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 accountability. Acts like these are un-American and contradict the core values of our nation.”
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
The Hindu American Foundation (HAF) has urged the US Justice Department to investigate the act and said the incident comes as a large Indian community gathering was planned in nearby Nassau County over the upcoming weekend. The foundation also said the incident is similar to recent acts of vandalism on its temples in California and Canada.
HAF also pointed to a recent video posted by Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, in which he threatened Hindu and Indian institutions. The foundation stated that the New York vandalism bears similarities to attacks on temples in California and Canada. It also pointed to the fact that Gurpatwant Pannun, of “Sikhs for Justice,” recently posted a video threatening Hindu and Indian institutions, including HAF, as the community event approaches.
“Gurpatwant Pannun, of “Sikhs for Justice,” recently posted a video threatening Hindu and Indian institutions, including HAF, as the community event approaches. The vandalism is similar to that seen in attacks on temples in New York, California and Canada & called out by @CongressmanRaja @RoKhanna @ShriThanedar @PramilaJayapal @BeraForCongress @shuvmajumdar and other political leaders,” Hindu American Foundation wrote on X.
Earlier in July, 2024, Khalistani extremists defaced BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir in Edmonton city in Alberta province with hinduphobic graffiti painted on its walls. In September 2023, Shree Mata Bhameshwari Durga Devi Society in Surrey British Columbia was desecrated with ‘Punjab is not India’ grafitti. In February 2023, a Ram temple in Mississauga was defaced with anti-India graffiti by unknown miscreants.
In January 2023, another Hindu temple, Gauri Shankar Mandir was desecrated by Khalistani extremists in Brampton City in Ontario. The walls of the temple were defaced with anti-India graffiti by Khalistanis associated allegedly with the banned outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ). The vicious slogan of ‘Khalistan Zindabad, Hindustan Murdabad’ was found written on the walls of the temple.
