Khalistanis vandalise Hindu temple in US yet again, India seeks strict action

India Today

3 days ago

In the fourth such incident targeting Hindu places of worship in the US this year, a Hindu temple of the Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) in Greenwood, Indiana, has been desecrated, allegedly by pro-Khalistanis, according to the Hindu American Foundation (HAF). The organisation said the temple's walls were defaced with anti-India and anti-Prime Minister Narendra Modi graffiti.HAF, an advocacy group, linked the desecration to pro-Khalistan extremists. Meanwhile, another group, the Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA), urged authorities to classify the incident as the fourth such hate crime.advertisementBAPS Public Affairs, in a social media post, said the latest incident has only strengthened the community's resolve to stand united against anti-religious behaviour.
"For the 4th time in less than a year, one of our Mandirs has been desecrated by a hateful act. The anti-Hindu hate crime against the BAPS Mandir in Greenwood, IN has only strengthened our community's resolve, and we remain united in our stand against anti-religious behavior," BAPS said in the post on X on Tuesday.The Hindu American Foundation denounced the incident, attributing it to pro-Khalistan extremists known for employing similar methods previously.The Consulate General of India in Chicago said it was in touch with the local community and law enforcement agencies."Desecration of the main signboard of the BAPS Swaminarayan Temple in Greenwood, Indiana is reprehensible. The Consulate is in touch with the community and has raised the matter with law enforcement authorities for prompt action. Today Consul General addressed a gathering of devotees," wrote the Consulate General of India in Chicago, US on X.TEMPLE DESECRATED WITH SLURS AGAINST AMERICAN HINDUS"For the 4th time in less than a year, a Hindu Mandir (temple) has been desecrated—this time the BAPS Mandir in Greenwood, IN. Vandalising temples with anti-India graffiti is a tactic often used by pro-Khalistan separatist activists—and a stark reminder of how slurring American Hindus as 'Hindutva' fuels hate like this," the Hindu American Foundation said in a post.The group also urged officials to act beyond condemnations to hold the attackers accountable."It's time elected officials move beyond empty condemnations and ensure perpetrators are held accountable," it added.The group posted a video with the post, revealing temple walls defaced with graffiti expressing anti-India messages.The temple's walls were desecrated on August 10, according to BAPS. A MESSAGE OF HATE AND INTOLERANCE AGAINST HINDUSMarmik Brahmbhatt, a volunteer with BAPS, described the graffiti as "a message of hate and intolerance against Hindus," according to the Indy Star news website.The offending message was removed after it was reported to the Greenwood Police Department, Indy Star, which is part of the USA Today Network, reported.Brahmbhatt characterised the offence as a hate crime, according to the report.CoHNA urged the authorities to treat this as a hate crime and to study this crime against the background of a growing national problem.advertisementThis event is the latest in a string of attacks targeting Hindu temples across the U.S., prompting strong criticism from Indian officials and community groups.Earlier on March 8, the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Chino Hills was defaced with anti-India graffiti, less than five months after a similar act of vandalism at another Hindu temple in California.Reacting to the incident, the External Affairs Ministry in March condemned the "despicable act in the strongest terms."In an official statement, the Ministry also called upon "local law enforcement authorities to take stringent action against those responsible for these acts, and also ensure adequate security to places of worship."A report filed with the Greenwood Police Department confirms that an active investigation is underway into "criminal mischief" at the mandir located on South Madison Street, according to the Indy Star.On September 25, 2024, the BAPS Hindu temple in Sacramento, California's capital, was vandalised with offensive graffiti, including messages like "Hindus go back."Just days earlier, a BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Melville, New York, was similarly defaced with hateful slogans.The Consulate General of India in New York strongly condemned the incident and raised the matter with US authorities- EndsMust Watch