The partitions of the Swaminarayan Temple in California had been painted with pro-Khalistan slogans.
New Delhi:
India has sought an investigation right into a outstanding Hindu temple in California being vandalised with pro-Khalistan slogans and anti-India graffiti. The incident got here to mild when photos had been shared on X (previously Twitter) by the Hindu-American basis.
The images confirmed partitions of Newark’s Swaminarayan Mandir Vasana Sanstha spray-painted with hateful slogans in opposition to India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Â
Reacting to the incident, Exterior Affairs Minister S Jaishankar stated such ‘extremists’ shouldn’t be given house. He underlined that the Indian Consulate in San Francisco has already taken up the matter with the US authorities and an investigation is underway.
“I’ve seen the information. As you understand, we’re involved about this. Extremists and separatist forces exterior India mustn’t get house. Our consulate has lodged a grievance with the (US) authorities and the police there over no matter occurred, and I imagine the matter is being inquired,” Mr Jaishankar advised reporters.
#WATCH | On Swami Narayan temple in Newark, US defaced with pro-Khalistani slogans, EAM Dr S Jaishankar says, “I’ve seen it. Extremists, separatists and such forces shouldn’t be given house. Our Consulate there complained to the federal government and the police and an inquiry is… pic.twitter.com/dfEzsfeeT8
— ANI (@ANI) December 23, 2023
The Indian embassy in San Francisco strongly condemned the incident and stated that it had harm the emotions of the Indian group.
“This incident has harm the emotions of the Indian group. We’ve got pressed for fast investigation and immediate motion in opposition to the vandals by the US authorities on this matter,” they wrote on X.
In response to the temple administration, the incident happened on Thursday evening.
“One of many devotees, who lives near the shrine, found anti-Hindu and anti-India graffiti in black ink on an exterior wall of the constructing, and the native administration was instantly knowledgeable,” Bhargav Raval, the spokesperson for the temple administration, advised ANI.
Newark Police are investigating the matter, which they imagine was a focused act.
“Primarily based on the graffiti, we imagine it was a focused act, and it’ll be investigated with full thoroughness. I also can let you know that as a member of the Newark Police Division and the Newark group, we’re deeply saddened when these kinds of acts happen, and we expect they’re mindless and so they haven’t any room,” Jonathan Arguello, a captain within the Newark Police Division stated.
This isn’t the primary time a Hindu temple has been focused, as comparable incidents have occurred previously, each within the US and its neighboring Canada. India has earlier expressed concern over escalating actions by Khalistan supporters and clamped down on organisations and people attempting to stoke separatist sentiment in numerous international locations.
In August, a temple in Canada’s Surrey was vandalised allegedly by Khalistani supporters. Professional-Khalistan posters had been put up on the partitions and the gate of the Lakshmi Narayan Mandir, in Surrey – one of many oldest temples in British Columbia. Among the posters referred to as for Canada to analyze India’s “function” within the loss of life of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June.
Canada accused India of getting a job in Nijjar’s killing however hasn’t but offered India with proof for the allegations. The US has additionally arrested an Indian for alleged involvement in a plot to homicide Khalistan terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun.
India has referred to as the allegations false and baseless, claiming that they may examine if the international locations present proof.
“If somebody provides us any data, we will certainly look into it,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi lately advised the Monetary Instances.
