US condemns vandalism of Hindu temple in California as a possible hate crime

Washington: The United States issued a strong condemnation on Saturday following the vandalism of the Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Hindu Temple in Newark, California.

The incident involved anti-India graffiti, prompting the police to investigate it as a potential hate crime.

The US State Department's Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs denounced the act, expressing support for the Newark Police Department's efforts to hold the perpetrators accountable. In a social media post on platform X, the Bureau stated, "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."

The Newark Police Department received a report of graffiti at the temple around 8:35 am on Friday. Upon arriving at the scene, officers met with temple leaders who described the vandalism as an attempt to intimidate them. The content of the graffiti suggested that the defacement was targeted, leading authorities to investigate it as a possible hate crime, according to an emailed statement from the City of Newark Police Department.

The Consulate General of India in San Francisco also condemned the incident, specifically denouncing the defacing of the SMVS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir with anti-India graffiti. The Consulate expressed deep concern about the sentiments of the Indian community, urging a swift investigation and decisive action against the vandals by US authorities.

As per images shared on social media, among the objectionable graffiti, the word 'Khalistan' was spray-painted on a signpost outside the temple, adding to the distress caused by the vandalism.