BAPS swaminarayan temple vandalised in New York; 'unacceptable', says Indian consulate

NEW DELHI: The BAPS Swaminarayan Temple in New York's Melville was vandalised on Monday. The Indian consulate in New York expressed strong disapproval of the act, labelling it "unacceptable."

The incident took place in Melville, Suffolk County, around 28 kilometers from the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to address a large community event at this venue on September 22.

In response, the consulate has been in close contact with the local Indian-American community and has urged US law enforcement agencies to take swift action against those responsible for the attack. Authorities are now investigating the incident, and efforts are underway to bring the perpetrators to justice.

The Indian Consulate took the incident to X to express its dismay. The Consulate posted, "The vandalism of the BAPS Swaminarayan Temple in Melville, New York, is unacceptable; The Consulate @IndiainNewYork is in touch with the community and has raised the matter with US law enforcement authorities for prompt action against the perpetrators of this heinous act."


Video footage shared online shows offensive graffiti sprayed on the road and signage outside the temple. A prayer meeting is scheduled at the temple later in the afternoon to respond to the incident.

The Hindu American Foundation urged the Justice Department and Department of Homeland Security to investigate the temple attack, especially considering recent threats to Hindu and Indian institutions ahead of the upcoming community gathering in Nassau County.

Executive Director of the Hindu American Foundation, Suhag Shukla, said, "It is hard to comprehend the absolute cowardice of those who would attack a Hindu temple to air hatred for an elected leader. This attack, following recent threats at Hindu and Indian institutions, must be seen in the context of that threat scenario."