A positive response to an act of intolerance
In a display of communal harmony, locals from different faiths and communities came together to erase the hate messages defacing the walls of Newark’s Swaminarayan temple. Vandals had sprayed anti-Indian slurs and pro-Khalistan graffiti on the temple walls and signposts early Friday. Police are treating the incident as a hate crime.
While the vandalism drew widespread condemnation from lawmakers and community leaders within and outside the Indian-American community, in a positive response to an act of intolerance, members from the Sikh, Gujarati, and local American communities, joined hands to scrub out the graffiti sprayed on the temple premises.
On X (formerly Twitter), Fremont-based author and filmmaker Jeevan Zutshi (@JEEVAN ZUTSHI) paid tribute to the effort with a tweet that read, “The true American spirit. Let us all stay together and eliminate hatred and bigotry.”
Rohit Sharma (@DcWalaDesi) also gave the community clean-up crew a shoutout, tweeting, “The American community is coming out in support of (the) HinduTemple to remove hateful graffiti. Speaks volumes about the fabric of America.”
“Encouraging to see the community coming together to clean up in response to hateful graffiti and look forward to the Newark PDs investigation to bring the perpetrators to justice,” tweeted Ash Kalra, CA Assemblymember AD 25-San José (@Ask Kalra).
California Congressman Ro Khanna (District 17), added his message of support, tweeting, “I am heartened that the community is coming together to stand up against hate and remove graffiti. The community action is answering wickedness with goodness.”
Leaders condemn acts of hate
The Swaminarayan temple in Newark is part of District 17 represented by Congressman Khanna. He strongly condemned the defacing of the Swaminarayan temple in Newark, California which is in his district. “Freedom to worship is at the heart of American democracy. Those who committed this act of vandalism must be held accountable.”
Other Indian-American leaders also denounced the act of vandalism on the Swaminarayan temple.
“Such hate must not be tolerated!” said Congressman Shri Thanedar (@ShriThanedar) on X. “As the founder of the Congressional Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh, and Jain caucus, I express my profound condemnation of the disgraceful act of vandalism committed against the Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Newark, California. This desecration, marked by anti-India graffiti, strikes at the very essence of our diverse and inclusive society.”
Thanedar denounced the intolerant attacks and called for a thorough investigation of what he described as “a heinous crime.” He pointed out that religious freedom and communal harmony are fundamental tenets of the nation and that the safety and sanctity of all places of worship must be protected. “I urge swift action by law enforcement to bring the perpetrators to justice, ” he added.
CA Lawmakers Condemn Hinduphobia
California lawmakers also denounced the desecration of the temple and urged law enforcement to find the perpetrators. In a statement on X, the State_SCA said, “We condemn the vandalism of Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Hindu Temple in California. We welcome efforts by the Newark Police Department to ensure that those responsible are held accountable. “
CA Assemblymember Alex Lee (District 24), added his support on X, stating, “A Hindu temple was vandalized in my district. While I’m glad the community is coming together in the aftermath – let’s be clear that all forms of hate & hindupbohia should be condemned.”
Both @Ash Kalra and Rep. Eric Swalwell (@RepSwalwell) expressed support for the State Department’s statement. “Join our State Department in condemning this attack on Bay Area Hindus,” tweeted Swalwell. “There is no room for hate and we must extinguish it wherever it presents.”
This resource is supported in whole or in part by funding provided by the State of California, administered by the California State Library in partnership with the California Department of Social Services and the California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs as part of the Stop the Hate program. To report a hate incident or hate crime and get support, go to CA vs Hate.