External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar expressed deep concern over the vandalization of a prominent Hindu temple in California, USA, with anti-India graffiti, emphasizing that extremists and separatist forces outside India should not find room for such actions.
The Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Newark, California, became the target of vandalism, with the word ‘Khalistan’ spray-painted on a signpost, along with objectionable graffiti, as seen in images circulated on social media. The City of Newark Police Department is treating this incident as a potential hate crime, investigating it as a targeted act of defacement.
Jaishankar, addressing reporters during the convocation of the Rashtriya Raksha University in Gandhinagar, expressed India’s concern over the incident. He noted that the consulate has registered a complaint with the US government and local police, and investigations are underway.
The Consulate General of India in San Francisco condemned the defacement of the Shri Swaminarayan Mandir and highlighted that the incident has hurt the sentiments of the Indian community. They have urged the US authorities to swiftly investigate and take prompt action against the vandals.
Notably, this incident follows a trend of temples being defaced with such graffiti, prompting India to consistently urge countries like Canada, the UK, and the US not to provide space for extremist Khalistani ideologies.
The Newark police emphasized their commitment to investigating any acts of violence, property damage, harassment, or intimidation motivated by hate or bias. They are actively collecting evidence, reviewing surveillance footage, and prioritizing the identification and prosecution of those responsible.
This incident underscores the broader global challenge of combating acts of vandalism and hate crimes targeting religious institutions, and it brings to the forefront the ongoing dialogue between India and other nations regarding the need to curb extremist ideologies and activities outside India’s borders.
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