US lawmakers, officials condemn vandalism of temple in New York
New York, Sep 17: Bipartisan lawmakers across the US have strongly condemned the vandalism at a Hindu temple here and called for an investigation into the incident, asserting that America must stand together against all forms of hate.
The road and the signage outside the BAPS Swaminarayan Temple in Melville, New York, were sprayed with expletives on Monday, according to footage shared online. The BAPS Public Affairs said in a post on X that it was deeply saddened by the desecration of the temple, calling it an “act aimed at inciting hatred against Hindus".
"Today, local, state & federal leaders gathered to promote peace, respect and unity. Guided by our faith, we stand united against hate with compassion and solidarity,” it said.
Melville is located in in Suffolk County, on Long Island and is about 28 kilometres from the 16,000-seater Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum where Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to address a mega community event on September 22.
US lawmakers across party lines strongly condemned the vandalism, calling for perpetrators to be held accountable.
Democratic Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi from Illinois said he was “appalled by the despicable acts” of vandalism targeting the temple. “As our country faces a surge in political violence and acts of bigotry, we must stand together as Americans against all forms of hate,” he said.
Democratic Congressman Ro Khanna also strongly condemned the act of desecration. “Freedom of worship is a bedrock of our democracy. There is no place for acts of intimidation, harassment or violence. We need accountability and to make sure this does not happen again,” he said.
Calling the vandalism "totally" unacceptable, US Congressman from Michigan Shri Thanedar "strongly condemn the hideous acts of vandalism" targeting the temple.
"Such acts of vandalism, bigotry, and hate must be fully investigated. The BAPS community deserves answers and justice,” Thanedar said.
Democratic Congress member Tom Suozzi, representing New York's Third Congressional District said in a post on X that he was appalled by the “hideous acts” of vandalism targeting the temple.
“There is too much hate!… Such acts of vandalism, bigotry, and hate are happening far too often because of inflammatory rhetoric by national leaders, extremism, and lack of accountability. Acts like these are un-American and contradict the core values of our nation,” he said.
Republican Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania's First Congressional District also took to X and said that “attacks on places of worship are attacks on our most fundamental values."
"This cannot, and will not, be tolerated," he said.
“We stand firmly with our Hindu-American community and condemn violence and hatred in all its forms, without exception. A full investigation should be pursued, and justice must be served swiftly to ensure that those responsible are held accountable,” Fitzpatrick added.
New York State Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar condemned the vandalism of the temple, which she said is a "beacon of spirituality and inclusivity that is beloved in the community".
“I call for this to be investigated as a hate crime. Freedom of worship is a fundamental American value that we must protect,” she said.
State Senator in the Ohio Senate Niraj Antani condemned in the “strongest terms” the attack on the temple. “The perpetrators must be caught and prosecuted to the full extent of the law. This is yet another disgusting incidence of Hinduphobia in our country. We must stand together to combat this hatred.”
The temple held a prayer meeting later in the afternoon following the incident. Suozzi and Republican Congressman Nick LaLota were among the officials who visited the temple after the incident and addressed the prayer meeting.
Former State Representative for Michigan’s 41st House District Padma Kuppa said, “Whether in Bangladesh or here at home in America, hate against Hindus is on the rise. I know first-hand how destructive it is.”
Joshua McKoon, a former member of the Georgia State Senate described the vandalism as “totally outrageous and unacceptable.”
Hindu American Foundation said in a post on X that the Justice Department and Department of Homeland Security “must investigate” the attack on the temple “after recent threats to Hindu institutions as a large Indian community gathering is planned in nearby Nassau County this weekend."
“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,” Executive Director of the Hindu American Foundation Suhag Shukla said in a post on X.
The Consulate General of India here also strongly condemned the vandalism of the temple, stating it is in touch with the community. It also said that it has raised the matter with US law enforcement authorities for prompt action against perpetrators of the “heinous act.”
“The vandalism of the BAPS Swaminarayan Temple in Melville, New York, is unacceptable,” the Indian Consulate said in a post on X Monday.
It is hard to comprehend the absolute cowardice of those who would attack a Hindu temple to air hatred for an elected leader.
— Suhag A. Shukla (@SuhagAShukla) September 16, 2024
This attack, following recent threats at Hindu and Indian institutions, must be seen in the context of that threat scenario. @SCPDHq @TheJusticeDept https://t.co/Dhg3gZTVTm
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Delhi CM Rekha Gupta accuses Mamata Banerjee of stalling SIR; TMC hits back
Kolkata (PTI): Alleging that her West Bengal counterpart Mamata Banerjee had approached the Supreme Court to stall the SIR exercise to prevent the identification of infiltrators, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Sunday claimed that the people of the state have made up their minds to dislodge the Trinamool Congress from power.
The TMC countered strongly, urging Gupta to "look into her own backyard" and accused her of making absurd allegations against the TMC government without checking facts.
Addressing participants at the 'Nari Sankalp Yatra' organised by the BJP's women's wing at Science City auditorium here, Gupta alleged that the "hands-off" and appeasement policies of the TMC government had allowed thousands of infiltrators to enter the state in recent years.
She claimed that this had put a strain on basic rights such as access to water, electricity, ration, education, livelihood and the right to vote for genuine citizens.
"She wants to perpetuate this and hence is trying to stall the SIR exercise, which aims at identifying and deporting infiltrators. Imagine a chief minister going to the apex court to argue against an exercise meant to ensure free and fair polls," Gupta said.
The BJP leader alleged that appeasement politics had reached an "alarming level" under the TMC regime.
Raising concerns over women's safety, she claimed that women in the state were not secure despite having a woman chief minister.
Referring to the rape-murder of a woman doctor at RG Kar Hospital, Gupta alleged that the state government had failed to respond adequately to such crimes.
She also referred to the alleged rape of a woman medic in Durgapur and another law student on a Kolkata college campus, claiming that criminals had been emboldened to commit brutalities against women.
She alleged that in crimes against women, overall crime incidents and child marriages, West Bengal remained among the top -- "a slur on a state which once led intellectual and social movements and set examples for the rest of the country," she said.
Criticising the state government's welfare initiatives, she said schemes such as Kanyashree were built on "false claims" and asserted that women needed security rather than assurances.
Accusing the state government of blocking central schemes, Gupta alleged that funds worth "lakhs of crores of rupees" had not reached the poor due to non-implementation of programmes such as Ayushman Bharat, PM Awas Yojana and Jal Jeevan Mission by the state.
"You are only interested in renaming projects and taking credit," she said.
Gupta also alleged that the education sector in the state had been adversely affected, saying several state-run schools had closed due to a shortage of teachers and that the government was opposed to the National Education Policy.
Drawing a comparison with BJP-ruled Delhi, Gupta said, "People have already voted out 'Bhaia' (a reference to former Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal). Now it is your turn to bid farewell to 'Didi'." Calling upon women to resist what she termed "strong-arm tactics", she urged them to assert their strength, invoking the imagery of Goddess Durga.
"Bengal has the right to live with dignity, and women have the right to live with dignity," she added.
Reacting to Gupta's allegations, West Bengal Women and Child Welfare minister Shashi Panja accused her of making "absurd allegations" against the Trinamool Congress government ahead of elections.
Panja alleged that during Gupta's tenure in Delhi, several incidents had raised serious concerns, including reports of missing young women and a blast near the Red Fort.
She also criticised the air pollution situation in the national capital, claiming that people were struggling to breathe.
The TMC leader said that despite being in power for a year, Gupta was making "tall claims" instead of addressing key issues in Delhi.
Panja further alleged that the Delhi CM visited West Bengal during elections to "peddle false allegations" against the state government.
Rebutting Gupta, the TMC said in a post on X said, "Madam why did you go off-script again? For your edification, here are the cold, hard facts: In total cases of crimes (IPC + SLL), Bengal ranks a respectable 15th, far safer than BJP-ruled Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Gujarat, which languish near the bottom."
"In overall crime rate, Bengal sits comfortably at 28th. Who's second? Your own Delhi. Double Engine Gujarat and Haryana grab 4th and 5th as top-tier crime havens," the TMC said.
"In child marriage, Assam again takes the shameful pole position. And yet you dare lecture Bengal? Stop embarrassing yourself, stop the hypocrisy, and maybe fix the rotting mess in your own backyard before pointing fingers at a state that's outperforming your disasters on every key metric," the TMC countered.
