The US State Department also condemned the temple vandalism on Saturday and welcomed police efforts to ensure those responsible are held accountable. The department said we are united with our community and are urging community members with any information regarding this incident to come forward and speak to investigators.
Several US lawmakers, including three prominent Indian-American Congressmen, have strongly condemned the vandalism at a Hindu temple in California. Also, he said that those responsible for this act should be held accountable.
Being investigated as a crime
The Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Hindu temple in Newark, California was vandalized with anti-India paintings, following which police are investigating the matter as a crime. Congressman Ro Khanna, who represents California’s 17th Congressional District, based in Silicon Valley, said in a post on social media platform X that he strongly condemns the defacement of the Swaminarayan Temple in Newark, California.
Ro Khanna strongly condemned
“The foundation of American democracy is the freedom of religion,” Ro Khanna once stated. It is necessary to hold those responsible for this heinous act accountable.” She expressed her satisfaction with the community’s response to hate speech and graffiti, though, at the same moment. “This community action is responding to evil with good,” he stated.
‘Community-fighting together’
Congressman Raja Krishnamurthy described the defacement of the Swaminarayan temple as disgusting and said he strongly condemned it. Krishnamurthy, the U.S. representative from Illinois’s 8th congressional district, said he was glad the community was coming together to support the temple. “We must stand united against all ugly forms of bigotry. Those who committed this barbarity must be held accountable,” he said.
There is a demand for an investigation into the matter
An officer at the Congress Police Station has also denounced this act, labelling it as despicable. “The core of our inclusive and diverse society is being attacked by this defacement covered in anti-Indian graffiti. “I demand a comprehensive investigation into this horrible act and denounce such acts of intolerance,” the police station declared.
He continued, “Religious freedom and communal harmony are fundamental principles of our nation and I urge prompt action by law enforcement to bring the perpetrators to justice while ensuring the safety and sanctity of all places of worship.”
Responsible people will have to be accountable
Congresswoman Barbara Lee of California condemned the attack as well. “Hate speech in any form is unacceptable. We must make those in authority answerable,” he said.
Ohio Senate member Neeraj Antani, a state senator, has strongly denounced the vandalism of the Hindu temple. “Criminals must be apprehended and punished to the fullest extent of the law,” stated Antani. Hinduphobia needs to be eradicated everywhere we look.”
The U.S. State Department condemned the act
The US State Department also condemned the temple vandalism on Saturday and welcomed police efforts to ensure those responsible are held accountable. The US State Department’s Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs said in a post on Saturday, “We condemn the vandalism at the Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Hindu temple in California. We welcome the efforts of the Newark Police Department to ensure that “What can be done is to hold those responsible accountable.”
Police examining CCTV footage
According to Newark Police, any acts or threats of violence, harassment, property damage, threats, or other crimes driven by bias or hate are taken extremely seriously and are given top priority. “Officers are investigating, gathering evidence, and reviewing CCTV footage from nearby businesses to better understand the incidents and bring those responsible to justice,” police stated.
Police urged people
According to the department, we are all part of this community and we encourage anyone with information about this incident to contact investigators. Anybody with information about this investigation is asked to get in touch with the Newark Police Investigative Unit, according to the police.
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