India has urgently requested an investigation into the vandalization of a prominent Hindu temple in California, where pro-Khalistan slogans and anti-India graffiti were discovered. The Hindu-American foundation shared images on social media, revealing hateful messages spray-painted on the walls of Newark's Swaminarayan Mandir Vasana Sanstha.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar condemned the act, emphasizing that extremists and separatist forces outside India should not be given space. The Indian Consulate in San Francisco has lodged a complaint with US authorities, initiating an ongoing investigation. The incident has triggered strong condemnation from the Indian embassy in San Francisco, highlighting the sentiments of the Indian community.
The temple administration reported the incident occurred on Thursday night, with one devotee discovering anti-Hindu and anti-India graffiti on an exterior wall. The Newark Police are treating it as a targeted act and are conducting a thorough investigation. Captain Jonathan Arguello expressed deep sadness over such senseless acts, emphasizing that they have no room in the community.
Unfortunately, this isn't the first time a Hindu temple has been targeted, with similar incidents in both the US and Canada. India has previously expressed concerns about escalating activities by Khalistan supporters, leading to actions against organizations and individuals attempting to fuel separatist sentiment in different countries. In a recent incident in Canada's Surrey, a temple was vandalized, and pro-Khalistan posters called for an investigation into India's alleged role in the death of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
Canada accused India without providing evidence, and the US arrested an Indian for an alleged plot to murder Khalistan terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. India refutes these allegations as false and baseless, stating they will investigate with provided proof. Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserted a commitment to examining any information provided
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