The recent vandalism of the Shree Swaminarayan Mandir in Newark, California, has rattled the local community. The graffiti, targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi and glorifying Khalistan leader Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, has sparked shock and concern among temple members and the broader Hindu community in the area.
Chintan Pandya, a temple member, expressed deep concern over the act of vandalism, noting that it's the first such incident since the temple's opening almost two years ago. This act has raised safety concerns within the community, prompting temple leaders to convene a special meeting to address the incident.
The Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA) emphasized the urgency of addressing growing Hinduphobia in the region, highlighting the importance of protecting sacred spaces meant to provide peace and tranquility.
Mihir Meghani, co-founder of the Hindu American Foundation, condemned the vandalism, noting the divisive nature of the political issues surfacing within the Indian-American community. He pointed out that the promotion of a separate Khalistan state, as indicated by the graffiti, contradicts the desires of most Americans, Indians, and Hindus.
This incident occurred shortly after the US Justice Department unsealed an indictment against an Indian national allegedly involved in a thwarted plot to assassinate New York-based Khalistan leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. The juxtaposition of these events underscores the complexities and tensions surrounding certain political and separatist movements within the Indian diaspora community in the United States.
(With Agency Inputs)
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