The Consulate General of India in New York has reacted strongly and has condemned the act of vandalism of a temple in New York.
The consulate in New York described the alleged vandalism at BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir at Melville as “unacceptable” and raised the matter with US law enforcement authorities to initiate prompt action against the perpetrators.
The vandalism of the BAPS Swaminarayan Temple in Melville, New York, is unacceptable ; The Consulate @IndiainNewYork is in touch with the community and has raised the matter with U.S. law enforcement authorities for prompt action against the perpetrators of this heinous act.…
— India in New York (@IndiainNewYork) September 16, 2024
According to viral videos online, expletives have been sprayed on the road and on the signage outside the temple premises.
Melville is about 28 km from the 1600-seater Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum where Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to address a mega community event on September 22. The event is a part of the prime minister’s visit to the United States.
The Hindu American Foundation said in a post on X that the Justice Department and Department of Homeland Security “must investigate” the attack on the temple”.
