WASHINGTON– Indian-American Congressman Suhas Subramanyam has strongly denounced a series of recent attacks on Hindu temples in the United States, warning that such “hateful” acts are part of a broader surge in violence against places of worship.
Speaking on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday, Subramanyam said the incidents were not isolated. “Hate has no place in our communities, and that’s why I condemn the recent hateful attacks on Hindu temples and mandirs all across the country, from the BAPS Sri Swaminarayan Mandir in Indiana to the Shri Shri Radha Krishna Temple in Utah,” he said. He added that sacred spaces across faiths were increasingly being subjected to acts of hate, vandalism, and desecration, and warned that every American deserves the right to practice their faith safely without fear.
The Congressman called for greater resources to protect houses of worship. “That’s why we need to continue fighting for increased resources for security at places of worship like these temples, and we must be committed to doing more to combat the rise in hate that we’re experiencing in the United States and ensure that our communities are protected. So I will continue to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to do that,” he said.
His remarks followed a string of troubling incidents in recent months. In August, the BAPS Swaminarayan Temple in Greenwood, Indiana, was defaced with anti-India and anti-Hindu graffiti. The month before, gunfire struck the Sri Sri Radha Krishna Temple in Spanish Fork, Utah, while devotees and guests were inside. On August 28, burglars looted a temple in Santa Clara, stealing its donation box and ornaments. Earlier in March, a temple in Chino Hills, California, was vandalized with similar anti-India messages.
Advocacy groups welcomed Subramanyam’s remarks. The Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA) and Hindu ACTion said Hindu Americans have been left shaken by the rise in targeted attacks. “American Hindus are hurting. When places of worship get attacked, how can a Hindu get spiritual solace, practice rituals and traditions, and pray with community? We applaud Congressman Suhas Subramanyam for being the voice of justice and ask more lawmakers to speak up and ask for action,” CoHNA said in a statement on X.
The recent attacks and the Congressman’s call to action highlight growing concerns among faith communities across the U.S. about rising hate crimes and the need for stronger protections for sacred spaces. (Source: IANS)
