U.S. Hindu Temple Defaced: Anti-Modi Graffiti Sprayed on Fourth Temple in Indiana
In a series of disturbing incidents, Hindu temples across the United States have been targeted by pro-Khalistan separatist activists. The latest attack occurred at a temple belonging to the Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) in Greenwood, Indiana.
The temple's walls were defaced with anti-India and anti-Prime Minister Narendra Modi graffiti, according to reports from the Hindu American Foundation (HAF). This is the fourth such incident targeting Hindu places of worship in the United States this year.
The desecration of the temple in Greenwood followed a similar attack on a BAPS temple in Melville, New York, in September 2023, and another in Newark, California, in December 2023. Another temple near Sacramento was targeted just nine days later in the same month.
The repeated nature of these incidents has prompted calls for stricter action from Hindu advocacy groups. They are growing frustrated with the response from authorities, stating that the response has been inadequate and that these attacks are part of a coordinated hate campaign.
Local communities are also urging law enforcement agencies to treat these crimes as serious hate offences. The targeting of Hindu temples undermines the sense of safety among Indian-Americans and other Hindu communities in the US, they argue.
The Consulate General of India in Chicago has condemned the desecration and is in touch with the temple community. The Consulate General addressed a gathering of devotees and local leadership, including the Mayor of Greenwood, calling for unity, solidarity, and vigilance against miscreants.
The Indian Embassy in Chicago has also condemned the desecration and urged law enforcement authorities to take stricter action. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in New Delhi has echoed these sentiments, urging American law enforcement agencies to take "stringent action" while ensuring adequate security for places of worship.
The link between these attacks and separatist extremism is not new. Analyses reveal that Khalistani groups depend heavily on foreign funding, particularly from diaspora in Canada and the US, often through diaspora networks and sympathetic platforms.
There is credible evidence that Khalistan separatist groups receive foreign funding and support in North America, particularly in the United States and Canada. The UAPA Tribunal in India, citing evidence, has linked the US-based Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) group to prohibited Khalistani terror outfits and found that it receives support for activities including recruitment, radicalization, and financing terrorism.
SFJ runs a prominent separatist campaign known as Referendum 2020, with operations connected to diaspora communities in Western countries including Canada and the US. However, recent attempts by SFJ to manipulate democratic processes in the US by misrepresenting official responses have been discredited by US officials, making clear that official US policy does not endorse Khalistani separatism.
Despite this, the evidence emerging from Indian judicial and intelligence sources points to foreign funding and collaboration with militant groups to support separatist activities abroad. This raises concerns about the true intentions of these groups and the need for increased vigilance and action against them.
As the investigation into the Greenwood incident continues, it is hoped that the authorities will take swift and decisive action to bring those responsible to justice and ensure the safety and security of all places of worship in the US.
- These repeated attacks on Hindu temples in the United States have sparked calls for investigation into the possible involvement of pro-Khalistan separatist groups, particularly those receiving foreign funding.
- The defacement of Hindu temples in several states underscores the need for stricter finance regulations to prevent the flow of funds to such extremist groups operating from diaspora networks.
- The general news, politics, and crime-and-justice sectors are closely watching the investigation of the Greenwood incident as it could have far-reaching implications for the finance and security of places of worship across the nation.
