The US police are investigating the matter.
New York:
The US on Saturday condemned the damage to a Hindu temple in California and welcomed police efforts to ensure those responsible are held accountable. An incident of vandalism and writing of anti-India slogans took place at Sri Swaminarayan Temple in Newark, California. Police are investigating the case as a possible hate crime.
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The US State Department’s Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs said in a post on social media ‘X’, “We condemn the incident of damage to the Sri Swaminarayan Temple in California. “We welcome the efforts of the Newark Police Department to ensure that those responsible are held accountable. “
In an e-mailed statement to PTI, the police department in Newark, California, said that at around 8:35 am on Friday, the police received information about slogans written on the walls of the Sri Swaminarayan temple.
The statement said officials swung into action and met with temple management members who termed it an act of intimidation. “Based on the content of the slogans written on the wall, it is believed that defamation was intended and the incident is being investigated as a possible hate crime,” the statement said.
The Consulate General of India in San Francisco strongly condemned the defacement of the temple. Post at the Consulate
“This incident has hurt the sentiments of the Indian community,” the consulate wrote. We have urged the US authorities to conduct a prompt investigation into the matter and take immediate action against those causing the damage.
According to pictures posted on social media, the word Khalistan was spray-painted on a ‘signpost’ outside the temple along with other objectionable slogans.