BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Melville, New York has been vandalized. Someone wrote hate messages on the temple’s driveway and placed a sign with hate messages outside the temple gate.

The Consulate General of India in New York has reported the matter to the authorities of the US. He has also demanded to take measures against the executives of this act.

Response from the Indian Consulate in New York

He also posted a tweet that reads “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.”

It came to light through social media that the temple was vandalized with slogans like ‘Fuck Modi’, ‘Modi is Terrorist’, and ‘Hindustan Murdabad’.

The BAPS Mandir at Melville is one of the many centers around the globe that upholds the Hindu principles of peace, harmony, brotherhood, and seva.

When the authorities got to know about the vandalism, police were called immediately. The investigation is still being done on this hate crime incident.

Local Leaders Unite for Peace and Solidarity

Moreover, the country members along with some of the US lawmakers gathered at the site of the desecration to offer prayers for peace and unity. They were supported by the local leaders of Long Island, including U.S. Rep Nick LaLota, and U.S. Rep Tom Suozzi.

“Deeply saddened by the desecration of our BAPS Mandir in Melville, NY, an act aimed at inciting hatred against Hindus. Today, local, state & federal leaders gathered to promote peace, respect & unity. Guided by our faith, we stand united against hate with compassion & solidarity.”

Congressman Nick LaLota

“There is too much hate! I am appalled by the hideous acts of vandalism targeting the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Melville. Such acts of vandalism, bigotry, and hate are happening far too often because of inflammatory rhetoric by national leaders, extremism, and lack of accountability. Acts like these are un-American and contradict the core values of our nation.”

Tom Suozzi

Earlier in July 2024, Khalistani vandalized BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir which is located in Edmonton city in the province of Alberta. There were Hindu phobic slogans written outside the temple. On September 26, 2023, the Shree Mata Bhameshwari Durga Devi Society temple in Surrey British Columbia had been defaced with graffiti that said, ‘Punjab is not India’. Khalistani protesters vandalized the temple with anti-India slogans on a Ram temple in Mississauga, Canada in February 2023.

Again in January this year, a Hindu temple called Gauri Shankar Mandir in Brampton City in Ontario also suffered vandalism by Khalistan’s. They wrote ‘Khalistan Zindabad, Hindustan Murdabad’ on the walls of the temple.