New Delhi: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday strongly condemned the case of vandalism in California’s Newark the place a Hindu temple was defaced with anti-India and pro-Khalistan graffiti. “I’ve seen it. Extremists, separatists and such forces shouldn’t be given house. Our consulate there complained to the federal government and the police and an inquiry is underway,” Jaishankar mentioned.
The Swaminarayan Mandir in Newark was defaced with anti-India graffiti made on the outside wall and got here to mild on Friday. The Newark police are intently wanting into the matter.
#WATCH | On Swami Narayan temple in Newark, US defaced with pro-Khalistani slogans, EAM Dr S Jaishankar says, “I have seen it. Extremists, separatists and such forces should not be given space. Our Consulate there complained to the government and the police and an inquiry is… pic.twitter.com/dfEzsfeeT8
— ANI (@ANI) December 23, 2023
“One of the devotees, who lives near the shrine, found anti-Hindu and anti-India graffiti in black ink on an exterior wall of the constructing, and the native administration was instantly knowledgeable,” Bhargav Raval, the spokesperson of the temple administration informed ANI.
Jonathan Arguello, a police captain within the Newark Police Department, mentioned, “Based on the graffiti, we believe it was a targeted act, and it’s going to be investigated with full thoroughness. I can also tell you that as a member of the Newark Police Department and the Newark community, we’re deeply saddened when these types of acts occur, and we think they’re senseless and they have no room.”
Arguello added that such instances would henceforth be taken severely and acts of vandalism wouldn’t be tolerated within the metropolis. Police officers are at the moment gathering proof to research the matter.
Notably, this isn’t the primary case of vandalism of a Hindu temple overseas. In August, an analogous incident was reported in Canada’s British Columbia the place the entrance door of a Hindu temple was defaced with posters of the Khalistan referendum.
