
ISKCON temple in US targeted in suspected hate crime; India urges swift action and stands in solidarity
According to ISKCON, 20 to 30 bullets were fired at the temple building and surrounding property during nighttime hours while devotees and guests were inside. The incident resulted in thousands of dollars in damage, including to the temple's intricately hand-carved arches.
Condemning the attack, the Consulate General of India in San Francisco expressed solidarity with the community and urged swift action. In a post on X, it stated, "We strongly condemn the recent firing incident at the ISKCON Sri Sri Radha Krishna temple in Spanish Fork, Utah. The Consulate extends full support to all the devotees and the community and urges the local authorities to take prompt action to bring the perpetrators to justice."
A similar incident had occurred earlier this year when, on March 9, a Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) Hindu temple in Chino Hills, California, was found desecrated just days ahead of a so-called 'Khalistani referendum' in Los Angeles, according to temple authorities.
The official page of BAPS for the United States shared the details of the March 9 desecration on the social media platform X and emphasised the community's resilience. "In the face of another Mandir desecration, this time in Chino Hills, CA, the Hindu community stands steadfast against hate... Our common humanity and faith will ensure that peace and compassion prevail," BAPS Public Affairs wrote.
The Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA) also pointed to the incident on X, linking it to rising anti-Hindu sentiment and noting that the vandalism came shortly before the planned 'Khalistan referendum' in Los Angeles.
"Another Hindu Temple vandalised, this time the iconic BAPS temple in Chino Hills, CA... Not surprisingly, this happens as the day for a so-called 'Khalistan referendum' in LA draws close," CoHNA posted, while listing other recent temple attacks since 2022 and calling for an investigation.
Last year, acts of vandalism also targeted the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Sacramento, California, on the night of September 25. That incident followed closely after a similar attack on a BAPS temple in New York.
Messages such as "Hindus go back" were found scrawled during those attacks, deeply alarming the local Hindu community. Despite repeated provocations, community leaders continue to affirm their unity and commitment to confronting hate.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Times of Oman
15 hours ago
- Times of Oman
Trump demands prosecution of Kamala Harris over alleged million-dollar endorsement payments
Washington: US President Donald Trump on Saturday (local time) demanded that Kamala Harris and several top American celebrities be prosecuted for allegedly receiving and paying millions of dollars for endorsements during the 2024 presidential election. Trump called the move "totally illegal" and accused Democrats of breaking campaign finance laws. In a post on his Truth Social account, Trump accused Harris of spending millions of dollars to buy endorsements from stars such as singer Beyonce, TV host Oprah Winfrey, and civil rights activist Al Sharpton. He alleged the endorsements were paid for and not genuine, and called for legal action. "I'm looking at the large amount of money owed by the Democrats, after the Presidential Election, and the fact that they admit to paying, probably illegally, Eleven Million Dollars to singer Beyonce for an ENDORSEMENT (she never sang, not one note, and left the stage to a booing and angry audience!), Three Million Dollars for 'expenses,' to Oprah, Six Hundred Thousand Dollars to very low rated TV 'anchor,' Al Sharpton (a total lightweight!), and others to be named for doing, absolutely NOTHING! These ridiculous fees were incorrectly stated in the books and records. YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO PAY FOR AN ENDORSEMENT. IT IS TOTALLY ILLEGAL TO DO SO." "Can you imagine what would happen if politicians started paying for people to endorse them. All hell would break out! Kamala and all of those who received Endorsement money BROKE THE LAW. They should all be prosecuted," he further added. Trump's fresh attack comes amid controversy over his own handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case files. Earlier, Trump slammed the investigation into the Epstein case as a politically motivated campaign. He referred to it as a "con job" by Democrats to distract from his performance, The Hill reported. "The Radical Left Democrats are doing everything in their power to distract and obfuscate from our GREAT six months of service to America, results of which many are saying is the BEST six months in Presidential history," Trump posted on Truth Social. He added, "They have gone absolutely CRAZY, and are playing another Russia, Russia, Russia Hoax but, this time, under the guise of what we will call the Jeffrey Epstein SCAM. Hopefully, the Grand Jury Files will put an end to this HOAX."


Times of Oman
19 hours ago
- Times of Oman
Indian diaspora leaders urge government action over passport-related delays in repatriating mortal remains
Washington DC: Advocacy groups called for streamlined procedures after airlines refused to transport mortal remains without original passports. Indian diaspora organisations have written to India's Home Secretary requesting urgent intervention to address bureaucratic obstacles preventing grieving families from repatriating their loved ones' remains to India. The letter, sent by prominent advocacy groups including TEAM Aid and Jaipur Foot USA, highlights a growing crisis affecting Indian families worldwide when Indian citizens die abroad without their passports readily available. The issue has intensified after Air India faced multiple fines from India's Bureau of Immigration, prompting the airline to adopt a strict policy refusing to transport human remains without the deceased's original passport-even when Indian embassies have issued No Objection Certificates (NOCs). Other airlines have reportedly followed suit with similar policies, creating what advocacy leaders describe as a "deeply distressing and devastating situation" for bereaved families. Prem Bhandari, chairman of Jaipur Foot USA, and Mohan Nannapaneni, founder of TEAM Aid, authored the letter to Home Secretary Govind Mohan outlining the humanitarian crisis. TEAM Aid's Founder and President, Mohan Nannapaneni, along with his dedicated team of volunteers, has facilitated the repatriation of over 4,000 mortal remains from the United States, Canada, and Mexico to every state across India. The organisations explain that passports often become inaccessible when individuals die abroad due to heart-wrenching circumstances. In cases involving accidents, suicides, or homicides, documents may be held by investigating officers for weeks or months. Immigration authorities sometimes retain passports in cases involving asylum seekers or visa violations, leaving families in agonising limbo. "In several tragic cases, the deceased individual lives alone, and their passport is often inaccessible at the time of death," the letter states, painting a picture of isolated deaths far from home. Residences are sometimes sealed during investigations, making document retrieval impossible while families desperately wait to bring their loved ones' home. The human cost of these policies is starkly illustrated in the case of Rahul Patel, whose tragic story has become emblematic of the crisis facing Indian families abroad. "For over a week now, the tragic, untimely, and unnatural death of Rahul Patel has left his mortal remains stranded in a funeral home despite all documentation, including the NOC from the Indian Consulate, being in order," Bhandari said. "The only hurdle is the passport, stuck with customs in Chicago for the last three days, delaying its cancellation. No airline is willing to transport the body due to fear of penalties." The personal toll on families is devastating. "Meanwhile, I receive calls at odd hours from the deceased's brother, Dilip Patel, from Gujarat every day whose family hasn't slept--desperately waiting to bring Rahul home," Bhandari added, highlighting the sleepless nights and anguish that define the experience of families caught in this bureaucratic maze. Despite Indian consulates showing compassion by issuing NOCs that acknowledge missing passports, families face additional trauma when remains arrive in India. Airport immigration officials sometimes detain bodies for hours, citing the absence of original travel documents, creating further delays in an already agonising process. "We used to occasionally ship human remains even when the original passport was unavailable, with the support of the Indian Consulate-issued No Objection Certificate (NOC)," says Nannapaneni. "However, due to recent penalties imposed on airlines by the Bureau of Immigration, carriers are now refusing to transport remains without an original passport. This has created heartbreaking challenges for grieving families who are unable to fulfill sacred religious rites and ensure a dignified final journey to their loved ones' homeland." The advocacy groups note this heartbreaking scenario occurs "even after families have endured days of emotional turmoil and logistical challenges to bring their loved one's home." Chief Advisor Prem Bhandari raises a fundamental question about the current system: "Indian Consulates, Embassies, and High Commissions issue a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for the repatriation of mortal remains only after verifying the deceased's Indian nationality. Therefore, penalising airlines in such cases is neither understandable nor justified." His words underscore the frustration felt by families caught between competing bureaucratic requirements while trying to honour their departed loved ones. In light of this growing crisis, TEAM Aid's Chief Advisor, Prem Bhandari, has formally appealed to the Home Secretary of the Government of India, urging immediate intervention and a permanent resolution to protect and support Indian families in distress abroad. The organisations are requesting a formal directive or circular to airport and immigration authorities across India, stipulating that valid embassy NOCs mentioning passport unavailability should be sufficient for releasing remains without further delays. "We humbly request your intervention to streamline the process," the letter states with quiet desperation, emphasising that the issue "affects the dignity of the deceased and the sentiments of their families." The groups describe the matter as a "critical humanitarian concern" requiring immediate government attention to support the Indian diaspora community, particularly the substantial population in North America.


Times of Oman
19 hours ago
- Times of Oman
US: 11 injured in stabbing incident at Michigan Walmart; suspect in custody
Michigan: At least 11 people have been injured in a stabbing incident at a Walmart near Michigan's Traverse City on Saturday afternoon (local time), the New York Times reported, citing Michigan State Police. According to The New York Times, citing Megan Brown, Chief Communications Officer for Munson Healthcare, all 11 victims were being treated at Munson Medical Centre in Traverse City. She noted that the hospital was still evaluating the extent of their injuries but did not provide specific details. State Police reported that one suspect had been taken into custody shortly after 6 pm (local time). They also stated that information about the incident remained limited. "Grand Traverse County Sheriff's Office is investigating a multiple stabbing incident at the Wal-Mart in Traverse City. The suspect is in custody, details are limited at this time," Michigan State Police's sixth district said in a post on X. Grand Traverse 911 assured the public that emergency services were present at the scene and there was no ongoing threat, the New York Times reported. They also urged residents to stay clear of the Walmart and nearby businesses as the situation continued to unfold.