A group of United States lawmakers, led by Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, along with others, have submitted a letter to the US Department of Justice, seeking an update on the investigation into vandalism at places of worship nationwide, including attacks on mandirs, and the Department’s strategy against hate crimes targeting Hindus in the country.
The letter, signed by members of Congress of South Asian descent such as Shri Thanedar, Ro Khanna, Pramila Jayapal, and Ami Bera, expresses concern over the rising incidents of vandalism at houses of worship, particularly Hindu mandirs, across the nation. They request a briefing from the Department of Justice to gain insight into ongoing investigations and law enforcement coordination between local agencies, the FBI, and the Civil Rights Division.
The escalation of attacks, often featuring Khalistani slogans and themes, has heightened anxiety within the Hindu American community. The absence of arrests in these cases has further intensified concerns and underscored the need for urgent action and clarity, as highlighted in the letter sent to the US Department of Justice.
Responding to the lawmakers’ initiative, the Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA) expressed gratitude and emphasized the necessity of addressing Hinduphobia and anti-Hindu hate through national discourse. They urged lawmakers at all levels to prioritize this issue and take decisive measures to address its underlying causes.
Recent incidents, such as the defacement of a Hindu temple in Hayward, California, with pro-Khalistan graffiti, and similar attacks on temples in Newark, California, underscore the urgency of addressing this issue. These incidents have drawn attention from leaders like External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, who emphasized the need to curb extremist and separatist actions.
