Hindu temple vandalised with anti-India in US in apparent hate crime

A prominent Hindu temple was vandalised with antiIndia graffiti in the US state of California and the police are investigating the matter as a possible hate crimeThe City of Newark Police Department in Newark Newark California told PTI in an emailed statement that on Friday at approximately 835 am they received a report of graffiti at the Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Hindu TempleOfficers responded and met with temple leaders who described the vandalism as meant to intimidate themBased 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 saidThe Consulate General of India in San Francisco strongly condemned the defacing of the templeWe strongly condemn the defacing of SMVS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir at Newark California with antiIndia graffiti the Consulate posted on XThis incident has hurt the sentiments of the Indian community We have pressed for quick investigation and prompt action against the vandals by the US authorities in this matter the Consulate saidAccording to images posted on social media the word Khalistan was spraypainted on a signpost outside the temple along with other objectionable graffitiNewark police further said that 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 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 saidThe department said that we stand united with our community and are urging community members with any information regarding this incident to come forward and speak with investigatorsThe police are asking anyone with information regarding this investigation to contact the Newark Police Investigations UnitThis is not the first instance where a temple has been defaced with such graffiti in the recent past by Khalistani separatistsIndia has been asking its partner countries such as Canada the UK and the US to not give space to extremist Khalistani ideologyKhalistan supporters have increased their antiIndia activities after the death of Canadabased Khalistan Tiger Force KTF chief Hardeep Singh NijjarIndias consulate in San Francisco in July came under an attack from Khalistan supporters who tried to set the diplomatic facility on fireThe vandalism of the temple in Newark came close on the heels of allegations of an Indian officials involvement in a conspiracy to assassinate a separatist Sikh leader in the USThe Indian official has been linked by American prosecutors to an individual accused of conspiring to assassinate Sikh separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun in the United StatesIndia has expressed concern over the matter and stated that appropriate action will be taken following the conclusions of an investigative panel examining the allegationsThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever