LOOK | Jaishankar’s strong response after ‘extremists’ damaged Hindu temple in California; ‘Shouldn’t be given any space’
According to images posted on social media, the word “Khalistan” was spray-painted on a signpost outside the temple along with other offensive graffiti.
New Delhi: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday expressed concern over the vandalism of a Hindu temple with anti-India graffiti in the US, saying extremists and separatist forces outside India should not be given such space. He also underlined that the Indian Consulate in San Francisco has already discussed the matter with the US authorities and an investigation is underway. “I saw the news. As you know, we are concerned about this. Extremists and separatist forces outside India should not be given any space. Our consulate has filed a complaint with the (US) government and the police there about whatever happened and I believe the matter is being investigated,” Jaishankar said in response to a question about the incident.
#WATCH | At the Swami Narayan Temple in Newark, US, defaced with pro-Khalistani slogans, EAM Dr. S. Jaishankar: “I have seen it. Extremists, separatists and similar forces must not be given any space. Our consulate there has filed a complaint with the government and the police and an investigation is underway… pic.twitter.com/dfEzsfeeT8
— ANI (@ANI) December 23, 2023
Police in Newark, California said they received a report of graffiti at the Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Hindu temple around 8:35 a.m. Friday. According to images posted on social media, the word “Khalistan” was spray-painted on a signpost outside the temple along with other offensive graffiti.
Newark police said any acts or threats of violence, property damage, intimidation or other crimes motivated by hatred or prejudice are considered very serious and given a very high priority. The Consulate General of India in San Francisco strongly condemned the damage to the temple.
According to the temple administration, the incident took place on Thursday evening.” One of the devotees, who lives close to the shrine, discovered anti-Hindu and anti-Indian graffiti in black ink on an exterior wall of the building, and the local administration was immediately informed,” said Bhargav Raval, the spokesperson from the temple administration, to ANI.
The walls of Shree Swaminarayan Mandir in Newark, Bay Area, were painted with graffiti targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi and eulogizing Khalistan leader Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale on Friday (local time).
“What 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” because it is the first time the temple has seen something like this since it opened almost two years ago.
“It is not safe for the community,” Pandya said, adding that temple leaders will hold a special meeting to discuss the incident.
US-based advocacy group Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA) said thorough and urgent action is needed to tackle growing Hinduphobia in the region.
“Freedom of religion means little if sacred spaces, intended to be an oasis of peace and tranquility, are vandalized without consequence. We are sad but not shocked – authorities, media and other groups have regularly downplayed or ignored the growing #Hinduphobia in the region,” CoHNA said in a post on X on Friday.
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