BAPS temple in New York ‘vandalized’, India reacts sharply: ‘Unacceptable’ | Latest news India

The Indian Consulate in New York described the alleged vandalism at the BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir in Melville as “unacceptable” and raised the issue with US law enforcement authorities to take immediate action against the perpetrators.

“The vandalism of the BAPS Swaminarayan Temple in Melville, New York is unacceptable; Consulate @IndiainNewYork is in contact with the community and has raised the matter with US law enforcement authorities for swift action against the perpetrators of this heinous act,” the consulate said in a post on social media platform X.

According to videos shared online, swear words have been spray-painted on the road and on signs outside the temple grounds.

Melville is about 17 miles from the 1,600-seat Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address a large-scale community event on Sept. 22 as part of the prime minister’s visit to the United States.

The Hindu American Foundation urged the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate the incident, saying it comes as a large gathering of the Indian community is planned for nearby Nassau County this coming weekend. The foundation also said the incident is similar to recent cases of vandalism at its temples in California and Canada.

“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 attacks on temples in New York, California and Canada and was called out by @CongressmanRaja @RoKhanna @ShriThanedar @PramilaJayapal @BeraForCongress @shuvmajumdar and other political leaders,” the Hindu American Foundation wrote on X.

Suhag Shukla, executive director of the Hindu American Foundation, called the act “absolute cowardice” aimed at “venting hatred against an elected leader”.

Responding to the incident, BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) said in a press release that it “strongly condemns these acts” and “prays for peace among all communities”. The trust said it was cooperating with US authorities to support their investigation into the alleged “hate crime”.

(With input from agencies)