New York, bipartisan lawmakers from across the United States strongly condemned the vandalism at a Hindu temple here and called for an investigation into the incident, stating that the United States must remain united against all forms of hate.
The road and signage outside the BAPS Swaminarayan temple in Melville, New York, were sprayed with expletives on Monday, according to images shared online. The BAPS Public Affairs department said in a post on X that it was deeply saddened by the desecration of the temple, calling it an "act intended to incite hatred against Hindus."
"Today, local, state and federal leaders gathered to promote peace, respect and unity. Guided by our faith, we stand united against hate with compassion and solidarity," he said. Melville is located in Suffolk County, on Long Island, and is about 17 miles from the 16,000-seat Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to address a mega community event on Sept. 22.
US lawmakers from all parties strongly condemned the vandalism and called for the perpetrators to be held accountable.
Democratic Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi of Illinois said he was “horrified by the despicable acts” of vandalism against the temple. “As our country faces a rise in political violence and acts of intolerance, we must remain united as Americans against all forms of hate,” he said. Democratic Congressman Ro Khanna also strongly condemned the act of desecration. “Freedom of worship is the basis of our democracy. There is no place for acts of intimidation, harassment or violence. We need accountability and make sure this doesn't happen again,” he stated.
Shri Thanedar, US Congressman from Michigan, called the vandalism "totally" unacceptable and "strongly condemned the horrendous acts of vandalism" against the temple.
"These acts of vandalism, bigotry and hate must be thoroughly investigated. The BAPS community deserves answers and justice," Thanedar said. Democratic Congressman Tom Suozzi, representative of New York's Third Congressional District, said in a post on X that he was appalled by the “appalling acts” of vandalism directed at the temple.
“There is too much hate!… These acts of vandalism, intolerance and hatred occur too often due to inflammatory rhetoric from national leaders, extremism and lack of accountability. “Acts like these are un-American and contradict our nation’s core values,” he said.
Republican Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania's 1st Congressional District also addressed X, saying that “attacks on houses of worship are attacks on our most fundamental values.” “This cannot and will not be tolerated,” he said.
“We stand firmly with our Hindu-American community and condemn violence and hatred in all its forms, without exception. “A full investigation must be carried out and justice must be served quickly to ensure those responsible are held accountable,” Fitzpatrick added.
New York State Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar condemned the vandalism of the temple, which she said is a “well-loved beacon of spirituality and inclusion in the community.” “I call for this to be investigated as a hate crime.” Freedom of religion is a fundamental American value that we must protect,” she said.
Ohio Senate State Senator Niraj Antani condemned in the “strongest terms” the attack on the temple. “The perpetrators must be caught and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. This is another disgusting incident of Hinduphobia in our country. We must unite to combat this hatred.”
The temple held a prayer meeting that same afternoon after the incident. Suozzi and Republican Congressman Nick LaLota were among the officials who visited the temple after the incident and addressed the prayer meeting. Padma Kuppa, former state representative for the 41st district of the Michigan House of Representatives, said: “Whether in Bangladesh or here in America, hatred against Hindus is increasing. “I know firsthand how destructive it is.”
Joshua McKoon, a former member of the Georgia state Senate, described the vandalism as “totally outrageous and unacceptable.”
The Hindu American Foundation said in a post on nearby Nassau County this weekend." “It is difficult to understand the utter cowardice of those who would attack a Hindu temple to express hatred toward an elected leader. This attack, in the wake of recent threats to Hindu and Indian institutions, must be seen in the context of that threat scenario,” Hindu American Foundation Executive Director Suhag Shukla said in a post on X.
The Consulate General of India here also strongly condemned the vandalism committed against the temple and stated that it is in touch with the community. He also said he had raised the matter with US law enforcement authorities for immediate action against the perpetrators of the “heinous act.”
"The vandalism of the BAPS Swaminarayan Temple in Melville, New York, is unacceptable," the Indian consulate said in a post on Monday.
The road and signage outside the BAPS Swaminarayan temple in Melville, New York, were sprayed with expletives on Monday, according to images shared online. The BAPS Public Affairs department said in a post on X that it was deeply saddened by the desecration of the temple, calling it an "act intended to incite hatred against Hindus."
"Today, local, state and federal leaders gathered to promote peace, respect and unity. Guided by our faith, we stand united against hate with compassion and solidarity," he said. Melville is located in Suffolk County, on Long Island, and is about 17 miles from the 16,000-seat Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to address a mega community event on Sept. 22.
US lawmakers from all parties strongly condemned the vandalism and called for the perpetrators to be held accountable.
Democratic Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi of Illinois said he was “horrified by the despicable acts” of vandalism against the temple. “As our country faces a rise in political violence and acts of intolerance, we must remain united as Americans against all forms of hate,” he said. Democratic Congressman Ro Khanna also strongly condemned the act of desecration. “Freedom of worship is the basis of our democracy. There is no place for acts of intimidation, harassment or violence. We need accountability and make sure this doesn't happen again,” he stated.
Shri Thanedar, US Congressman from Michigan, called the vandalism "totally" unacceptable and "strongly condemned the horrendous acts of vandalism" against the temple.
"These acts of vandalism, bigotry and hate must be thoroughly investigated. The BAPS community deserves answers and justice," Thanedar said. Democratic Congressman Tom Suozzi, representative of New York's Third Congressional District, said in a post on X that he was appalled by the “appalling acts” of vandalism directed at the temple.
“There is too much hate!… These acts of vandalism, intolerance and hatred occur too often due to inflammatory rhetoric from national leaders, extremism and lack of accountability. “Acts like these are un-American and contradict our nation’s core values,” he said.
Republican Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania's 1st Congressional District also addressed X, saying that “attacks on houses of worship are attacks on our most fundamental values.” “This cannot and will not be tolerated,” he said.
“We stand firmly with our Hindu-American community and condemn violence and hatred in all its forms, without exception. “A full investigation must be carried out and justice must be served quickly to ensure those responsible are held accountable,” Fitzpatrick added.
New York State Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar condemned the vandalism of the temple, which she said is a “well-loved beacon of spirituality and inclusion in the community.” “I call for this to be investigated as a hate crime.” Freedom of religion is a fundamental American value that we must protect,” she said.
Ohio Senate State Senator Niraj Antani condemned in the “strongest terms” the attack on the temple. “The perpetrators must be caught and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. This is another disgusting incident of Hinduphobia in our country. We must unite to combat this hatred.”
The temple held a prayer meeting that same afternoon after the incident. Suozzi and Republican Congressman Nick LaLota were among the officials who visited the temple after the incident and addressed the prayer meeting. Padma Kuppa, former state representative for the 41st district of the Michigan House of Representatives, said: “Whether in Bangladesh or here in America, hatred against Hindus is increasing. “I know firsthand how destructive it is.”
Joshua McKoon, a former member of the Georgia state Senate, described the vandalism as “totally outrageous and unacceptable.”
The Hindu American Foundation said in a post on nearby Nassau County this weekend." “It is difficult to understand the utter cowardice of those who would attack a Hindu temple to express hatred toward an elected leader. This attack, in the wake of recent threats to Hindu and Indian institutions, must be seen in the context of that threat scenario,” Hindu American Foundation Executive Director Suhag Shukla said in a post on X.
The Consulate General of India here also strongly condemned the vandalism committed against the temple and stated that it is in touch with the community. He also said he had raised the matter with US law enforcement authorities for immediate action against the perpetrators of the “heinous act.”
"The vandalism of the BAPS Swaminarayan Temple in Melville, New York, is unacceptable," the Indian consulate said in a post on Monday.