Hindu temple vandalised in US

Unidentified individuals spray swastika, paint "Get Out" across one of the walls

WASHINGTON: A Hindu temple in Washington was vandalised with hate speech in an act that shocked the community and locals and prompted authorities to launch an investigation, The Hindustan Times reported.

Unidentified individuals sprayed the swastika and painted "Get Out" across one of the walls of the temple in the Seattle Metropolitan area. It is one of the largest Hindu temples in the entire North West.

Top county officials visited the temple on February 16 and the Snohomish County Sheriff's Department is investigating this case as malicious harassment.

"This kind of thing should not happen in the US; who are you telling to get out? This is a nation of immigrants," Nitya Niranjan, chairperson of board of trustees of the Hindu Temple and Cultural Centre in Bothell, Washington told Press Trust of India.

The temple celebrated Mahashivratri on Monday. Niranjan confirmed that some kind of painting was sprayed on the outside walls a few years ago as well, but law enforcement authorities were not informed as no text was written.

"We have no idea, who did it," Niranjan said. While the temple has been there for nearly two decades, the construction on the second phase of the current building began recently.

The Hindu American Foundation (HAF) condemned the incident. "The timing of this crime, occurring before a major Hindu festival, warrants special attention from law enforcement," said Jay Kansara, director of Government Relations, Hindu American Foundation.

"We are encouraged by the ongoing thorough investigation of the Bothell City Police Department.  HAF will continue to engage through the local community with city, state, and federal officials until the perpetrator is brought to justice," Kansara said.

There has been increased incidents of vandalism of Hindu temples in recent times in the US including one in Loudoun County, Virginia and Monroe, Georgia last year.

As of January 1, 2015, the Department of Justice ordered all crime reporting forms to include the category anti-Hindu under the possible motives of hate crimes.

"Houses of worship are places where people should be able to be safe, at peace, and inspired to serve others," said Padma Kuppa, HAF board member adding that "instead, the vandalism of the Hindu temple in Seattle and the arson of a mosque in Houston this past weekend incite fear and result in distrust among communities."