The BAPS Swaminarayan Temple in Melville, New York, was vandalised on Sunday night, just days before Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the United States.
In response, the Consulate General of India in New York issued a statement condemning the incident: "The vandalism of the BAPS Swaminarayan Temple in Melville, New York, is unacceptable; The Consulate @IndiainNewYork 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 Hindu American Foundation called for a federal investigation.
"The @TheJusticeDept & @DHSgov must investigate this attack on the @BAPS Hindu temple in Melville, NY shared by @OnTheNewsBeat after recent threats to Hindu institutions as a large Indian community gathering is planned in nearby Nassau County this weekend," the group said in a post on X.
Prime Minister Modi is set to embark on an important visit to the United States on September 20, where he will participate in the highly anticipated QUAD Summit in Delaware on September 21. U.S. President Joe Biden will also host Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio during the summit.
Following the summit, PM Modi will address a major community event in New York on September 22, where around 15,000 people are expected to attend. The theme of the event is 'Modi & US: Progress Together.'
Later that same day, the Prime Minister is scheduled to meet with American business leaders. On September 23, he will participate in the UN Summit for the Future, where he is expected to deliver a brief speech.