In a tragic turn of events, the Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Hindu Temple in Newark California was subjected to an act of vandalism that has spurred criticism and cries for justice. The US State Department’s Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs responded by commenting on social media, saying the suspect must be brought to justice.
Reportedly, the temple was defaced with anti-India graffiti. This caused local policemen to investigate this as a potential hate crime. On Friday morning the City of Newark Police Department received a disheartening report, detailing how on Thursday night there were vandals in their midst. Authorities from all over, including officers and temple leaders have called this act an attempt to browbeat the Hindu community.
The Consulate General of India in San Francisco also added its voice to the chorus, strongly disapproving this defacing reminder. The consulate said in a statement that the issue affects not only Indian sentiments but also urged US authorities to act quickly. Images circulating on social media showed that a banner situated next to the temple had been vandalised with ‘Khalistan’ being spray painted onto it, as well as other offensive graffiti.
Incensed by this act of discriminaion, the community now has an important lesson to teach: solidarity is necessary in dealing quickly with immoral happenings so that consensus and shared security will prevail among many different types of people. This cry for fair investigation and fast trial echoes through all communities that value religious rights or oppose acts of hatred outside the Indian diaspora.
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