The Consulate General of India in Chicago on Wednesday, August 13, strongly condemned the desecration of the BAPS Swaminarayan Temple in Greenwood, Indiana, involving the vandalism of the temple’s main signboard, marking the fourth such anti-Hindu act of desecration against a temple in the US in the past year.
Describing the act as “reprehensible”, the Consulate, in a statement on X, confirmed
that it was in close contact with the local Hindu community and had taken up the
matter with US law enforcement agencies, urging swift action against those responsible.
“Desecration of main signboard of the BAPS Swaminarayan Temple
in Greenwood, Indiana is reprehensible. The Consulate is in touch with the
community and has raised the matter with law enforcement authorities for prompt
action. Today Consul General addressed a gathering of devotees and local
leadership including Hon’ble Mayor of Greenwood, calling for unity & solidarity and
vigilance against miscreants there,” the Consulate stated.
Earlier, the Public Affairs division of the socio-spiritual organisation, BAPS
Swaminarayan Sanstha, called the act a “hate crime” and reaffirmed the community’s
commitment to stand united against anti-religious bigotry.
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“For the 4th time in less than a year, one of our Mandirs has been desecrated by a
hateful act. The anti-Hindu hate crime against the BAPS Mandir in Greenwood, IN
has only strengthened our community’s resolve, and we remain united in our stand
against anti-religious behaviour,” it stated in a post on X.
US Congressman Nick LaLota also condemned the act, stating, “Religiously
motivated crimes like these must be condemned and those who commit them must be
held accountable. Live and let live!” in a post on X.
US Congressman Tom Suozzi also condemned the act, urging the prosecution of the
perpetrators and further calling out “hatred and bigotry”.
“This is the third hateful attack on a BAPS Temple. We must prosecute the
perpetrators and educate against hate. We must all call out hatred and bigotry when
we see it,” Suozzi stated in a post on X.
The Indianapolis Star news outlet reported police were investigating the incident and that the hate graffiti had been removed after the police had been to the premises. The Mayor of Greenwood spoke at a BAPS temple meeting addressing concerns about the vandalism, the Star reported.
The Center for Interfaith Cooperation in Indianapolis which was founded in 2011, also released a statement on August 11, condemning the act of vandalism. “In this time of increasing ignorance, hate, violence and division, CIC calls on all our partners and friends to choose curiosity, respect, empathy and compassion and to stand against violence in all its forms,” the Indianapolis Star quoted from the statement.
This incident follows a series of similar attacks on Hindu temples in the United
States, drawing sharp condemnation from Indian authorities and community
organizations. Earlier this year, on March 9, India strongly condemned the vandalism at a Hindu temple in California.
Reacting to the incident, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir
Jaiswal termed the act “despicable” and urged US law enforcement agencies to take
stringent action against those responsible.