External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has strongly condemned the defacing of the SMVS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Newark, California, expressing concern over the incident. The Hindu temple was vandalized with pro-Khalistan slogans and anti-India graffiti. The Minister emphasized that space should not be given to extremism and separatists outside India. The Indian Consulate in San Francisco has also condemned the act, stating that it has hurt the sentiments of the Indian community. An inquiry is underway, and the consulate has urged the US authorities for swift investigation and action against the vandals.
This incident follows a pattern of similar attacks on Hindu temples, with a recent case in Surrey, Canada, where a temple was vandalized by alleged Khalistani supporters. Pro-Khalistan posters were placed on the walls, calling for an investigation into India's "role" in the death of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. The US has also arrested an Indian for an alleged plot to murder Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. India has consistently refuted these allegations, calling them false and baseless, and has urged countries to provide proof for their claims.
(With Agency Inputs)
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