Taking exception to an act of vandalism of a Hindu temple with anti-India graffiti in California, allegedly by Khalistani supporters, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday said extremists and separatist forces outside India should not get such space.
“I have seen the news. As you know, we are concerned about this. Extremists and separatist forces outside India should not get space. Our Consulate has lodged a complaint with the (US) Government and the police there over whatever happened, and I believe the matter is being inquired,” Jaishankar said in response to a query about the incident.
According to a report by PTI from New York, Swaminarayan Mandir was vandalised with anti-India graffiti in the US State of California, and the police are investigating the matter as a possible hate crime.
The City of Newark Police Department in Newark, California, told PTI in an emailed statement that on Friday at approximately 8:35 am, they received a report of graffiti at the Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Hindu Temple.
According to images posted on social media, the word ‘Khalistan’ was spray-painted on a signpost outside the temple along with other objectionable graffiti. The Newark police said any acts or threats of violence, property damage, harassment, intimidation, or other crimes motivated by hate or bias are considered very serious and given very high priority.
Officers responded and met with temple leaders who described the vandalism as meant to intimidate them. “Based on the content of the graffiti, it is believed that the defacement was a targeted act, and the vandalism is being investigated as a possible hate crime,” the statement said.
The Consulate General of India in San Francisco strongly condemned the defacing of the temple. “We strongly condemn the defacing of SMVS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir at Newark, California, with anti-India graffiti,” the Consulate posted on X.
“This incident has hurt the sentiments of the Indian community. We have pressed for a quick investigation and prompt action against the vandals by the US authorities in this matter,” the Consulate said.
“Officers are investigating, collecting evidence, and reviewing surveillance footage from nearby businesses in order to establish the chain of events and bring those responsible to justice,” the police said.
The department said, “We stand united with our community and are urging community members with any information regarding this incident to come forward and speak with investigators.”
The police are asking anyone with information regarding this investigation to contact the Newark Police Investigations Unit. This is not the first instance where a temple has been defaced with such graffiti in the recent past by Khalistani separatists.
India has been asking its partner countries such as Canada, the UK, and the US not to give space to “extremist Khalistani ideology.”
Khalistan supporters have increased their anti-India activities after the death of Canada-based Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF) chief Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
India’s consulate in San Francisco in July came under an attack from Khalistan supporters who tried to set the diplomatic facility on fire.
The vandalism of the temple in Newark came close on the heels of allegations of an Indian official’s involvement in a conspiracy to assassinate a separatist Sikh leader in the US.
The Indian official has been linked by American prosecutors to an individual accused of conspiring to assassinate Sikh separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun in the United States.
India has expressed concern over the matter and stated that appropriate action will be taken following the conclusions of an investigative panel examining the allegations.
Meanwhile, talking about the arrest of Nikhil Gupta in the Czech Republic over an accusation that he was planning to assassinate Pannun in collaboration with an Indian official, Jaishankar said the Indian Embassy was provided consular access to him (by that country’s Government). “Whenever an Indian citizen is arrested, we seek consular access for their care, which we have received thrice,” he said.
