New York : A prominent Hindu temple in the US state of California has been vandalised by pro-Khalistan elements with anti-Modi graffiti, leaving the members of the community in shock.
The walls of Shree Swaminarayan Mandir in Newark, Bay Area, were spray painted on Friday with graffiti targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi and eulogising Khalistan leader Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale.
“Whatever happened last night was a clear act of vandalism and violence against the Indian community,” Chintan Pandya, a member of the temple, told CBS News.
He said the incident is “concerning” as it is the first time the temple has seen something like this ever since its opening almost two years ago.
“It is not safe for the community,” Pandya declared, announcing that a special meeting of the temple leaders was to be held to discuss the incident.
The Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA), a US-based advocacy group, stated that comprehensive and immediate action is required to address the rising incidence of Hinduphobia in the area.
“Religious freedom is meaningless when desecrated areas, which ought to be a haven of tranquility, are destroyed without repercussions. In a post on X on Friday, CoHNA stated, “We are sad but not shocked—authorities, media, and other groups have regularly downplayed or ignored the growing #Hinduphobia in the region.”
“Those who display those names and symbols are advocating for the creation of a distinct state called Khalistan. Thus, Mihir Meghani, co-founder of the Hindu American Foundation, told CBS News, “I think most Americans, most Indians, and most Hindus don’t want that, if those who did this want that.”
According to Meghani, there is an increasing number of Indian-Americans in the Bay Area, and political division is now a part of these issues.
The incident comes just after the US Justice Department unsealing an indictment against an Indian national for his alleged involvement in a foiled plot to kill New York-based Khalistan leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun.
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Pro-Khalistan Graffiti on US Hindu Temple Sparks India’s Firm Reaction
