India has called on US authorities to take immediate action following the vandalism of the BAPS Swaminarayan Temple in Melville, New York. The specific timing of the incident remains unclear; however, images surfaced on social media earlier in the day, displaying anti-India graffiti on the temple's signage.
The Consulate General of India in New York condemned the act as unacceptable and confirmed its engagement with local law enforcement and the community regarding the matter.
BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, the managing body of the temple, held a prayer meeting at the site of the vandalism, attended by several local and federal leaders, including US Representatives Nick LaLota and Tom Suozzi, as well as New York State Senator Mario Mattera.
Melville is situated approximately 28 kilometres from the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to address a community event on September 22. This incident comes on the heels of a similar act of vandalism at a BAPS Swaminarayan Temple in Edmonton, Canada, in July, which also featured anti-India graffiti.
In response, the Indian Consulate in Vancouver had urged Canadian authorities to investigate and take swift action against those responsible.