The issue of vandalism in BAPS Swaminarayan temple in America is gaining momentum. A video of this incident is also going viral. India has lodged an objection to this incident that took place in Melville, New York. It has also made it clear that such incidents are ‘unacceptable’. At present, the investigation of this case is going on. The police is trying to arrest the accused.
The Indian Consulate in New York on Monday said in a post on ‘X’ that “the incident of defacing of the signboard near BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir in Melville, New York is unacceptable.” The consulate “is in touch with the community and the matter has been taken up with officials of law enforcement agencies for prompt action against the perpetrators of this heinous act,” the post said.
Melville is located in Suffolk County on Long Island and is about 28 km from the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to address a community event on September 22. According to footage that surfaced on social media, offensive words were spray painted on the road and symbols outside the temple. The Hindu American Foundation said in a post on ‘X’ that the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security should investigate the incident.
According to media reports, Suhag Shukla, executive director of the Hindu-American Foundation, said, “It is difficult to understand the cowardice of those who attack a Hindu temple to show anger towards an elected leader. This attack should be seen in the context of the recent threats to Hindu and Indian institutions.”
