A Hindu temple in the US state of California was vandalized with anti-India graffiti, and the police are investigating the incident as a possible hate crime. The Consulate General of India in San Francisco strongly condemned the defacing of the temple.
The City of Newark Police Department in Newark, California, stated that on Friday at approximately 8:35 am, they received a report of graffiti at the Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Hindu Temple.
Temple leaders met with officers and described the vandalism as meant to intimidate them. “Based on the content of the graffiti, it is believed that the defacement was a targeted act, and the vandalism is being investigated as a possible hate crime,” the statement said.
How did the Indian Consulate react?
The Consulate General of India in San Francisco posted on X, “We strongly condemn the defacing of SMVS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir at Newark, California, with anti-India graffiti”.
“This incident has hurt the sentiments of the Indian community. We have pressed for a quick investigation and prompt action against the vandals by the US authorities in this matter,” the Consulate said.
According to images posted on social media, the word ‘Khalistan’ was spray-painted on a signpost outside the temple along with other objectionable graffiti.
What is the local police saying?
Newark police stated that any acts or threats of violence, property damage, harassment, intimidation, or other crimes motivated by hate or bias are considered very serious and given high priority.
“Officers are investigating, collecting evidence, and reviewing surveillance footage from nearby businesses in order to establish the chain of events and bring those responsible to justice,” the police reportedly said.
The department said, “we stand united with our community and are urging community members with any information regarding this incident to come forward and speak with investigators.”
Police are asking anyone with information regarding this investigation to contact the Newark Police Investigations Unit.
This is not the first instance where a temple has been defaced with such graffiti in the recent past by Khalistani separatists.
India has been asking its partner countries such as Canada, the UK, and the US to not give space to "extremist Khalistani ideology".
Khalistan supporters have increased their anti-India activities after the death of Canada-based Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF) chief Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
India's consulate in San Francisco in July came under an attack from Khalistan supporters who tried to set the diplomatic facility on fire.
The vandalism of the temple in Newark came close on the heels of allegations of an Indian official's involvement in a conspiracy to assassinate a separatist Sikh leader in the US.
The Indian official has been linked by American prosecutors to an individual accused of conspiring to assassinate Sikh separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun in the United States.
India has expressed concern over the matter and stated that appropriate action will be taken following the conclusions of an investigative panel examining the allegations.
