External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has reacted to the recent vandalism of a Hindu temple in Kentucky, US. He called it a shocking act of extremism and said that such incidents should not be given any space in a democratic society.
What Happened at the Temple?
On December 20, 2023, a group of unidentified miscreants broke into the Swaminarayan Temple in Louisville, Kentucky, and vandalized the idols and premises. They spray-painted hateful messages and symbols on the walls and doors of the temple, such as “Jesus is the only God” and “Nazi cross”.
The temple authorities discovered the damage on the morning of December 21 and reported it to the local police. The police have launched an investigation and are looking for the suspects. The temple has also appealed to the public for any information or evidence that could help identify the culprits.
The temple, which was established in 1999, serves as a place of worship and cultural center for the Hindu community in the area. The temple authorities have expressed their shock and sadness over the incident and said that they are working to restore the temple as soon as possible.
How Did Jaishankar React to the Incident?
Jaishankar, who is currently on a visit to the US, took to Twitter to express his condemnation of the temple vandalism. He said that he was deeply disturbed by the incident and that it was an attack on the pluralistic values of both India and the US.
He also said that extremism should not be given any space in a democratic society and that he hoped that the US authorities would bring the perpetrators to justice. He also assured that the Indian government would extend all possible support to the temple and the affected community.
Jaishankar’s tweet received a lot of support and appreciation from the netizens, who also condemned the incident and expressed their solidarity with the temple and the Hindu community.
Why is the Temple Vandalism a Matter of Concern?
The temple vandalism in Kentucky is not an isolated incident. It is part of a disturbing trend of rising hate crimes and intolerance against religious minorities in the US and other parts of the world.
According to the FBI, hate crimes in the US increased by 6% in 2020, reaching the highest level in 12 years. The most common targets of hate crimes were based on race, ethnicity, religion, and sexual orientation.
The Hindu community, which constitutes about 1% of the US population, has also faced several incidents of discrimination, harassment, and violence in the past. Some of the recent examples include the shooting of an Indian engineer in Kansas in 2017, the desecration of a Hindu temple in Washington in 2019, and the assault of a Hindu priest in New York in 2019.
These incidents reflect the growing intolerance and bigotry in society, which threaten the democratic values and human rights of all people. They also call for a stronger response from the authorities and civil society to prevent and punish such acts of hatred and violence.
