In a deeply concerning incident, the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, situated in the quiet hamlet of Melville, New York, was defaced by extremists during the night of Monday, 16th September. This shocking act of vandalism marked the third attack on a Hindu temple in the United States in recent years, raising serious concerns about the safety of Hindu places of worship in the country.

In the visuals that surfaced on social media, the temple’s walls were covered with hateful and offensive slogans such as ‘Fuck Modi’, ‘Modi is Terrorist’, and ‘Hindustan Murdabad’. The deliberate targeting of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has been instrumental in strengthening India’s global standing, reflects a disturbing trend of growing hostility towards him and his policies. The attack also carried an anti-India sentiment, further stoking tensions in an already polarized environment.

One of the more disturbing aspects of this vandalism was the intentional gap left between the words ‘Hindu’ and ‘stan’, implying a derogatory and deeply offensive remark about Hinduism. This level of hatred aimed at a peaceful religion and its followers is alarming and speaks volumes about the extremist ideologies at play.

The BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, in response to this heinous act, issued a statement condemning the attack. “We also offer our deepest prayers for those who perpetrated this crime to be released of their hatred and to see our common humanity,” the statement read, highlighting the peaceful and compassionate nature of the Hindu community. Despite such vile acts of aggression, the temple chose to respond with grace and a call for understanding, rather than retaliation.

However, the repeated attacks on Hindu temples in the US have raised questions about the American government's response to protecting religious minorities. While extremist elements continue to spread hatred and deface places of worship, there seems to be little action taken to curb these rising incidents. The lack of stringent measures against such attacks begs the question of whether enough is being done to safeguard Hindus and their places of worship in a country that claims to uphold religious freedom.

Prime Minister Modi has faced unjust criticism and malicious attacks from various extremist groups, both domestically and internationally, particularly in Western nations like the US. Yet, instead of focusing on the shared values of democracy and freedom that India and the US boast, these extremists target Modi and by extension, Hinduism itself. It is deeply troubling that such acts of hatred are being allowed to proliferate, and it is the responsibility of both governments to ensure that such incidents are prevented.

The increasing frequency of such attacks on Hindu temples across the United States should be a matter of grave concern for the international community. These acts not only hurt the religious sentiments of millions of Hindus worldwide but also threaten the social harmony between different communities. It is high time for the US government to take firm action against these extremists, ensuring that no community feels unsafe while practicing their faith.

The Hindu community has remained peaceful and resilient in the face of such adversity, but continued inaction could erode the trust they have placed in the US system. It is essential that these hate crimes be addressed with the urgency they deserve, and justice is delivered to prevent further escalation.

The temple authority wasted no time in responding to the vile act of vandalism, swiftly informing the local authorities of the situation. In their statement, they emphasized, “Upon learning of the hateful vandalism, the local authorities were called, and BAPS is working fully with the authorities to support their investigation into this hate crime.” 

It is worth noting that despite the gravity of the situation, Hindu places of worship continue to be targeted in the United States, raising concerns about the effectiveness of the country’s measures to safeguard religious freedom. This is not just a matter of property damage, but a blatant violation of the right to practice one’s faith without fear of hatred or violence. The Hindu community, which has been peaceful and law-abiding, is now facing a new wave of extremist attacks that have left them feeling vulnerable and unsupported by the very system that should protect them.

The Consulate General of India in New York did not remain silent either. In a strong statement, they condemned the vandalism of the temple. “The vandalism of the BAPS Swaminarayan Temple in Melville, New York, is unacceptable; The Consulate is in touch with the community and has raised the matter with U.S. law enforcement authorities for prompt action against the perpetrators of this heinous act,” read a tweet from the official ‘India in New York’ handle. 

The involvement of Indian authorities underscores the significance of the issue, as such attacks are not only an internal matter for the United States but a growing concern for international relations. It is disheartening that extremists are being allowed to carry out these acts without facing serious consequences, further emboldening them to continue their campaign of hatred. The inaction on the part of the U.S. government to decisively deal with these extremists sends a dangerous message, one that puts the safety of Hindu communities at risk.

Prime Minister Modi, who has tirelessly worked towards improving India’s global stature, continues to face unwarranted hate from extremist elements, both within and outside India. These groups seem intent on spreading their venomous agenda, using incidents like this to malign him and the nation he leads. However, the onus is not just on India to respond to these acts of hate but also on the United States, which must take stronger actions to prevent further escalation of such incidents.

The Hindu community in the U.S. deserves better protection from these ongoing assaults. While local authorities may have been alerted and are investigating, the frequency of such attacks shows that more robust measures are needed. It is essential for the U.S. government to demonstrate a stronger commitment to protecting religious minorities, particularly Hindus, who have contributed significantly to the country’s multicultural fabric. The time has come for these extremists to be held accountable, and for decisive action to be taken to ensure that such hate crimes are no longer tolerated.

Attacks on Hindu Mandirs in US

The wave of hate and extremist attacks against Hindu temples in the United States shows no signs of abating. Earlier this year, in January, the Vijay’s Sherawali Temple in Hayward city, California, was defaced with disturbing pro-Khalistani slogans. The sacred space, revered by countless devotees, was tarnished by graffiti that read ‘Khalistan Zindabad’ and ‘Modi is terrorist’. This desecration was not just an attack on the temple, but an attack on the entire Hindu community in the region, bringing their sense of security into question.

In response to the attack, the temple administration issued a heartfelt statement expressing both regret and resilience. “Jai Mata Di Bhakto’s. With deep regret, we would like to inform you (that) the Temple has been vandalized last week. We have informed the police and they have classified it as a hate crime,” the temple’s statement read. The calm and respectful tone of the temple’s response is a testament to the peaceful nature of the Hindu community, which has always advocated for harmony despite such provocations.

The statement went further to highlight the broader scope of the problem: “A few other Hindu Temple’s in the area have also been vandalized (most likely by the same culprits). We pray for those who wish harm and hatred on others that Mata Rani cleans their souls and gives them happiness and eradicates hate from their hearts,” the temple added. This plea for peace and transformation, even in the face of hate, reflects the deeply rooted values of forgiveness and compassion within Hinduism. However, such incidents highlight the urgent need for stronger action from law enforcement and the US government.

The Swaminarayan Mandir Vasana Sanstha in Newark city, California, also fell victim to similar extremist violence just a few months earlier, on 22nd December 2023. The outer walls of the temple were defaced with hateful pro-Khalistan, anti-Modi, and anti-India slogans, including “Khalistan”, “Shaheed Bhindrawale”, “F$%k Modi Jindabad”, and “Modi is terrorist”. This attack, much like the others, was a blatant attempt to spread hate and incite violence, not only against a political figure but against an entire religious community.

Such attacks have become alarmingly frequent, not just in the United States but also in its neighboring country, Canada. Over the past few years, Hindu temples in both countries have been targeted, vandalized, and defaced with derogatory graffiti. These acts of vandalism are not isolated incidents but part of a larger trend of hate-driven extremism, often tied to Khalistani separatist movements. Despite the peaceful nature of the Hindu community, these extremists seem intent on spreading fear and hostility, using places of worship as their battlegrounds.

India has already voiced serious concerns over the rising activities of Khalistani terrorists abroad and has called upon countries like the United States to take stronger actions against these groups. By allowing such acts of hate to continue unchecked, the US risks damaging its reputation as a country that champions religious freedom and multiculturalism. India has repeatedly urged foreign governments to crack down on groups and individuals who are attempting to incite separatism in India, and these attacks on Hindu temples serve as a stark reminder of how extremist ideologies can spread across borders.

The repeated targeting of Hindu places of worship in the US raises important questions about the adequacy of measures in place to protect religious minorities. It is clear that the US government must do more to ensure that Hindu temples, and indeed all places of worship, are safeguarded from such hate-fueled attacks. Extremist groups must be held accountable, and authorities should take swift and decisive action to prevent the spread of their harmful ideologies.

While the Hindu community continues to respond with dignity and calls for peace, it is critical that these calls are met with concrete action. Without a robust response from the US government and law enforcement, the cycle of hatred and violence will only escalate, placing more innocent lives and sacred spaces in danger. The protection of religious freedom is a core value that both India and the US share, and it is high time that the US stands firm in defending this right for its Hindu community.