Hindu temple Swaminarayan Mandir vandalised with anti-India, pro-Khalistan graffiti in California
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Newark, Dec 23: In yet another attack on Hindus, a Hindu temple the Swaminarayan Mandir Vasana Sanstha of Newark, California defaced with anti-India and pro-Khalistani graffiti on its exterior walls.
This act has been strongly condemned by the Hindu American Foundation, labeling it a hate crime as it aimed to intimidate individuals and sow fear within the community. "#Breaking: Swaminarayan Mandir Vasana Sanstha in Newark, California was defaced with pro-#Khalistan slogans. @NewarkCA_Police and @CivilRights have been informed and full investigation will follow. We are insisting that this should be investigated as a hate crime," it tweeted.
The Indian Consulate in San Francisco on Saturday strongly condemned the act of vandalism that has come to light in Newark. In a post on X, the Consulate General of India in San Francisco said, “We strongly condemn the defacing of SMVS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir at Newark, California with anti-India graffiti.”
“One of the devotees, who lives close to the shrine, discovered anti-Hindu and anti-India graffiti in black ink on an exterior wall of the building, and the local administration was immediately informed," Bhargav Raval, the spokesperson of the temple administration told ANI.
In response, the Newark police department assured a comprehensive probe to bring the perpetrators to justice. Jonathan Arguello, a police captain in the Newark Police Department, said, “Based on the graffiti, we believe it was a targeted act, and it's going to be investigated with full thoroughness. I can also tell you that as a member of the Newark Police Department and the Newark community, we're deeply saddened when these types of acts occur, and we think they're senseless and they have no room.”
Unfortunately, incidents of such hate crimes have been increasingly reported, not just in the United States but also in neighboring Canada. This repetitive trend reflects the rise in activities targeting Hindus institutions.
This came after pictures were shared by the Hindu American Foundation on social media, portrayed derogatory slogans against India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alongside references to the Khalistani terrorist Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale.
This act has been strongly condemned by the Hindu American Foundation, labeling it a hate crime as it aimed to intimidate individuals and sow fear within the community. "#Breaking: Swaminarayan Mandir Vasana Sanstha in Newark, California was defaced with pro-#Khalistan slogans. @NewarkCA_Police and @CivilRights have been informed and full investigation will follow. We are insisting that this should be investigated as a hate crime," it tweeted.
#Breaking: Swaminarayan Mandir Vasana Sanstha in Newark, California was defaced with pro-#Khalistan slogans.@NewarkCA_Police and @CivilRights have been informed and full investigation will follow.
— Hindu American Foundation (@HinduAmerican) December 22, 2023
We are insisting that this should be investigated as a hate crime. pic.twitter.com/QHeEVWrkDj
The Indian Consulate in San Francisco on Saturday strongly condemned the act of vandalism that has come to light in Newark. In a post on X, the Consulate General of India in San Francisco said, “We strongly condemn the defacing of SMVS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir at Newark, California with anti-India graffiti.”
“This incident has hurt the sentiments of the Indian community. We have pressed for quick investigation and prompt action against the vandals by the US authorities in this matter,” it added.
We strongly condemn the defacing of SMVS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir at Newark, California with anti-India graffiti. This incident has hurt the sentiments of the Indian community. We have pressed for quick investigation and prompt action against the vandals by the US authorities in…
— India in SF (@CGISFO) December 23, 2023
“One of the devotees, who lives close to the shrine, discovered anti-Hindu and anti-India graffiti in black ink on an exterior wall of the building, and the local administration was immediately informed," Bhargav Raval, the spokesperson of the temple administration told ANI.
In response, the Newark police department assured a comprehensive probe to bring the perpetrators to justice. Jonathan Arguello, a police captain in the Newark Police Department, said, “Based on the graffiti, we believe it was a targeted act, and it's going to be investigated with full thoroughness. I can also tell you that as a member of the Newark Police Department and the Newark community, we're deeply saddened when these types of acts occur, and we think they're senseless and they have no room.”
Unfortunately, incidents of such hate crimes have been increasingly reported, not just in the United States but also in neighboring Canada. This repetitive trend reflects the rise in activities targeting Hindus institutions.
Bharati Web
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