WASHINGTON– U.S. Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi has denounced a burglary at a Hindu temple in Santa Clara, California, calling the crime a disturbing attack on the Hindu American community.
Krishnamoorthi, a Democrat from Illinois, visited the Bay Area Shiv Durga Temple on Saturday, where burglars recently broke in, stole the donation box, and took ornaments. It was the second such incident at the temple this year, following a January break-in.
“I condemn in the strongest terms possible the break-in and vandalization of the Bay Area Shiv Durga Temple in Santa Clara,” Krishnamoorthi said in a statement. “The perpetrators of this crime must be brought to justice immediately. Together, we must pray and lend our support so that the Shiv Durga Temple of Bay Area can get back on its feet.”
The congressman also expressed solidarity with the wider Hindu American community, pledging to continue speaking out against attacks on places of worship. “In America, everyone should be able to pray in peace and safety — and I will continue to speak out, show up, and offer my support to preserve this sacred ideal,” he said.
The break-in is the latest in a series of troubling incidents targeting Hindu temples in the U.S. In August, a temple in Greenwood, Indiana, was defaced with anti-India graffiti. In June, gunfire struck the Sri Sri Radha Krishna Temple in Spanish Fork, Utah. And in March, a temple in Chino Hills, California, was vandalized with similar anti-India slogans.
The Indian government has repeatedly raised concerns with Washington over the string of attacks. In March, Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh told Parliament that India takes up every incident of desecration or violence at Hindu temples in the U.S. through diplomatic channels.
Krishnamoorthi stressed that accountability and vigilance are critical as the community seeks to move forward. (Source: IANS)
