In response to the desecration of the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Melville, New York, with hateful messages on September 15, 2024, BAPS has issued a formal appeal for peace, urging unity in the face of hate and intolerance.
“Unfortunately, this is not an isolated incident. Similar acts of desecration have occurred at various Hindu Mandirs across North America,” BAPS said in a statement on September 16th noting “We strongly condemn these acts and pray for peace amongst all communities. Peace, respect, and harmony for all regardless of background or faith are the bedrock of religious freedom in the United States.”
His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj, the spiritual leader of the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, has also offered his prayers for peace and harmony.
The statement further noted that BAPS offers “deepest prayers for those who perpetrated this crime to be released of their hatred and to see our common humanity.”
The Consulate General of India in New York stated “it is in touch with the community and has raised the matter with U.S. law enforcement authorities for prompt action against the perpetrators of this heinous act.”
The BAPS Mandir in Melville, New York, “stands as a beacon of peace, harmony, equality, selfless service, and universal Hindu values,” it said adding immediately after learning of the hateful act, the local authorities were notified and that the Mandir is working with the authorities to support their investigation.
Local, state and federal leaders representing Long Island, including U.S. Rep. Nick LaLota, U.S. Rep. Tom Suozzi, Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine, Deputy New York State Assembly Speaker Phil Ramos, New York State Senator Mario Mattera, New York State Assemblyman Keith Brown, New York State Assemblyman Steve Stern, Suffolk County Comptroller John Kennedy, Suffolk County Legislator Jason Richberg, Suffolk County Legislator Rebecca Sanin, Suffolk County Deputy Under Sheriff Keith Taylor, Suffolk County Police Precinct Supervisor William Scrima, Huntington Township Police Inspector Kevin Williams, Huntington Township Superintendent Andre Sorrentino, Huntington Township Supervisor Ed Smyth, Huntington Township Clerk Andrew Raia, Suffolk County Assistant District Attorney Allen Bode, North Hempstead Town Clerk Ragini Shrivastava, Babylon Township Councilman Dwayne Gregory and Rod Calarco, Representative of the Governor of New York were present during the prayer meeting to show their support.
Representatives from community organizations including NAACP President Tracey Edwards, Rabbi Susie Moskowitz from Temple Beth Torah, Rabbi Elizabeth Zeller from Temple Chaverim, Pastor Tom Johnson from St. Lutheran Church and Hassan Ahmed of Masjid Darul Quran as well as representatives from American Jewish Committee and the various Hindu Mandirs in the area also were present to show their support in fostering peace and harmony.
