Hindu Temple Defaced With Pro-Khalistan Slogans In US, Indian Misson Calls For Prompt Probe

A Hindu temple has been vandalised with anti-India graffiti on its walls in California, United States.

Hindu temple vandalised in the US. ( Image Source :X | @ANI )

A Hindu temple has been vandalised with anti-India and pro-Khalistan graffiti on its exterior walls in California's Newark in the United States, reported news agency ANI. The Newark Police has assured a thorough investigation into the incident, the agency further said.

A Hindu temple has been vandalised with anti-India and pro-Khalistan graffiti on its exterior walls in Newark, California, United States. Newark Police has assured a thorough investigation into the incident. pic.twitter.com/ruhEY6nkv1

— ANI (@ANI) December 23, 2023

The Hindu American Foundation took to X, formerly Twitter, and stated that Swaminarayan Mandir Vasana Sanstha in Newark, California was defaced with pro-Khalistan slogans and that the police as well as the civil rights of the Justice Department have been informed about the incident. The body has called for the investigation of the act as a hate crime.

"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 said.

The mention of the Khalistan terrorist kingpin #Bhindranwale, who targeted Hindus for murder, is specifically meant to traumatize temple goers and create a fear of violence—meeting the CA definition of a hate crime @NewarkCA_Police @CivilRights pic.twitter.com/BJb0kXhrwa

— Hindu American Foundation (@HinduAmerican) December 22, 2023

"The mention of the Khalistan terrorist kingpin #Bhindranwale, who targeted Hindus for murder, is specifically meant to traumatize temple goers and create a fear of violence—meeting the CA definition of a hate crime @NewarkCA_Police @CivilRights," the post further read.

The Consulate General of India in San Franciso condemned the defacing of the temple and said it has hurt the sentiments of the Indian community.

"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. @IndianEmbassyUS @MEAIndia @PIB_India," it added in a post on X.

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

The US State Department also condemned the act in a post that read, "We condemn the vandalism of Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Hindu Temple in California. We welcome efforts by the Newark Police Department to ensure that those responsible are held accountable."

This is not the first instance when a Hindu temple has been targetted by Khalistani extremists abroad. Similar cases have taken place in Australia and Canada as well the Government of India has raised on various diplomatic platforms on various occasions.

In August this year, Khalistan supporters vandalised a Hindu temple in the British Columbia province of Canada. Then, they left after pasting the posters of the Khalistan referendum on the main door of the temple. The entire act was captured in a nearby CCTV camera

In January this year, the walls of BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir in Melbourne’s northern suburb of Mill Park were defaced by Khalistan supporters as graffiti of derogatory slogans was put up on the temple walls.

In one such incident in Australia,  a Hindu temple was defaced with anti-India slogans like "Hindustan Murdabad", and "Khalistan Zindabad." According to a tweet, an Iskon temple in Melbourne’s Albert Park was defaced with hateful slogans.