New York:  After the incident of vandalism in a temple (BAPS Swaminarayan Temple) in New York, USA,  the Indian Consulate has strongly condemned it.

The embassy said that it has raised the matter with the US authorities for immediate action against the criminals involved in this heinous act. This incident has happened at a time when Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to hold a program near the incident spot in a few days.

"The vandalism at the BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir in Melville, New York is unacceptable. The Embassy is in touch with those concerned and has sought immediate action against the culprits," the Indian Consulate wrote in a post on Monday.

Melville is in Suffolk County, Long Island and is about 28 kilometres from the 16,000-seat Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, where PM Modi will address a mega event on September 22.

At the same time, the Hindu American Foundation wrote in a post that the Justice Department and the Department of Homeland Security should investigate the attack on the temple after recent threats to Hindu institutions. Because a large Indian community gathering is planned in nearby Nassau County this weekend.

Indian community members in touch with Indian Consulate

Regarding this incident, the Indian Mission informed on X, "The vandalism of the BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir in Melville, New York is unacceptable. The Indian Consulate in New York is in touch with the community and has taken up the matter with US law enforcement authorities for immediate action against the perpetrators of this heinous act."