India Taking Diplomatic Action Over Hindu Temples Being Defaced With Anti-India Graffiti In US: MoS MEA
In a written response to a query in the Lok Sabha, Singh confirmed that such incidents have occurred and have been taken up with the US government through diplomatic channels.
Minister of State (MoS) for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh on Friday informed Parliament that there have been multiple instances in recent years of Hindu temples in the United States being defaced with anti-India graffiti.
In a written response to a query in the Lok Sabha, Singh confirmed that such incidents have occurred and have been taken up with the US government through diplomatic channels.
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He said that all incidents of attack and desecration of temples and places of worship in the US are immediately taken up with the US Government through diplomatic channels.
“The respective temple management authorities and the community associations have also registered complaints with the local law enforcement authorities and have called for proper investigations, as well as stringent action against those responsible for these acts and for providing the places of worship with adequate safety and security arrangements," Singh added in the response.
Singh added that US law enforcement authorities have classified such cases as hate crimes and are actively investigating them. He said that the members of the US Congress have also urged the concerned agencies to come up with a broader strategy to counter hate crimes targeting Hindus in the United States.
The recent vandalism of the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in California has reignited concerns, sparking outrage among the Hindu community. In response, the MEA issued a statement condemning the act, calling for swift action against the perpetrators and enhanced security for places of worship.
“We condemn such despicable acts in the strongest terms. We call upon the local law enforcement authorities to take stringent action against those responsible for these acts and ensure adequate security for places of worship", MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said.
Similarly, last year, the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Sacramento was targeted on September 25, just days after another attack on the BAPS Mandir in New York.
The Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA), a Hindu advocacy group, expressed concern over the rising incidents of vandalism and hate crimes targeting the Hindu community.
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