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Hans India
03-07-2025
- Hans India
20–30 bullets fired at ISKCON temple in US
New Delhi: The ISKCON Sri Sri Radha Krishna Temple in Spanish Fork, Utah, came under attack in a suspected hate crime. According to a post on X by ISKCON, 20–30 bullets were fired at the temple building. This incident caused thousands of dollars in structural damage, including to the temple's hand-carved arches. "The ISKCON Sri Sri Radha Krishna Temple in Spanish Fork, Utah (USA), world-famous for its Holi Festival, has recently come under attack in suspected hate crimes. Over the past several days, 20–30 bullets were fired at the temple building and the surrounding property." The ISKCON said in a statement that the incident took place at night while devotees and guests were present inside. The Consulate General of India in San Francisco firmly condemned the shooting at the ISKCON 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,' the India in SF officials shared via X.
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First Post
02-07-2025
- First Post
Shots fired at Iskcon temple in US, India demands ‘prompt action' in potential hate crime
The Sri Sri Radha Krishna Temple, located just off Main Street in Utah's Spanish Fork, became the target of gunfire over several nights in June, with bullets hitting various parts of the temple, including the dome arches, and even a second-story window read more An Iskcon temple in northern Utah came under attack after shots were fired at the place of worship multiple times last month, causing damage to the structure and raising concerns over a possible hate crime. The Sri Sri Radha Krishna Temple, located just off Main Street in Utah's Spanish Fork, became the target of gunfire over several nights in June, with bullets hitting various parts of the temple, including the dome arches, and even a second-story window. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD What happened? According to reports by Fox13 and The Salt Lake Tribune, the first incident of firing occurred on June 18 when the temple's co-founder, Vai Warden, was woken up by a loud sound near the Krishna Radio station building adjacent to the temple in the middle of the night. The ISKCON Sri Sri Radha Krishna Temple in Spanish Fork, Utah (USA), world-famous for its Holi Festival, has recently come under attack in suspected hate crimes. Over the past several days, 20–30 bullets were fired at the temple building and the surrounding property. The… — ISKCON (@iskcon) July 1, 2025 Initially, assuming it was the sound emitted by fireworks or the work of teenagers, Warden later found bullet holes in the temple's walls and windows. More gunshots were reported on June 20, according to security footage reviewed by temple staff. Surveillance video showed a vehicle approaching the temple grounds, stopping near the fence, and an individual firing shots from the vehicle before quickly driving away. Initial investigation revealed that 20 bullets were recovered from the temple premises, including from the dome and near public gathering areas, indicating that they were fired to intimidate. The shots were fired from approximately 100 yards away. 'Not an act of random vandalism' In an interview with Iskcon News and Herald Extra, Warden stated that the temple leadership believes the attack was intentional. 'This wasn't a random act of vandalism. Someone came here with the intent to cause fear or harm," he said. 'It's an attack on a sacred space and a peaceful community." Warden noted that the temple, which belongs to the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), has never faced such violence in its 30-year history in Spanish Fork. India reacts The Indian Consulate in San Fransico said, '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.'
Indian Express
02-07-2025
- Indian Express
Multiple shots fired at ISKCON temple in US, India urges ‘prompt action'
The ISKCON Sri Sri Radha Krishna Temple in Spanish Fork, Utah, came under fire from miscreants over the past several days, the organisation said in a statement on June 30. ISKCON said that over the past several days, 20–30 bullets were fired at the temple building and the surrounding property, causing significant structural damage, including the temple's hand-carved arches. The body added that on June 18, the temple staff heard a loud noise and noticed smoke coming from the temple's radio station roof. A few days later, bullet marks were found in one of the temple's windows and in the building's arches. Approximately 20 shell casings were recovered from the road just outside the temple's security fence. The incidents occurred during nighttime hours, while devotees and guests were present inside, said ISKCON. India condemns the attack The Consulate General of India in San Francisco condemned the attack and extended full support to the community, calling for prompt action. '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,' it said in a statement on X. 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.… — India in SF (@CGISFO) July 1, 2025 The Utah County Sheriff's office released a statement calling these incidents 'several acts of vandalism' and shared images of evidence from the site, including casings from the rounds fired at the temple. 'Over the weekend, our office was made aware of several acts of vandalism directed towards the Krishna Temple that is located off of 8500 South here in Utah County. UCSO Deputies responded to the Temple and recovered various items of evidence, including casings from the rounds fired at the Temple,' it said. A post shared by Utah County Sheriff's Office (@utahcountysheriff) President of the Krishna Temple, Vai Warden, said that the attack was an outcome of 'hate'. 'This was [a] serious attack that was planned — this was actually some sort of hate,' Warden said in an interview with ABC4. The two-decade-old temple is world-famous for its annual Holi Festival and is located on top of a hill in Spanish Fork.
Times of Oman
02-07-2025
- Politics
- Times of Oman
ISKCON temple in US targeted in suspected hate crime; India urges swift action and stands in solidarity
Spanish Fork: The ISKCON Sri Sri Radha Krishna Temple in Spanish Fork, Utah, renowned globally for hosting the annual Holi Festival, has come under attack in a suspected hate crime, with over two dozen bullets fired at the premises over several days, causing significant structural damage. 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.
Hindustan Times
02-07-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
‘20 to 30 bullets fired': Utah ISKCON temple targeted in suspected hate crime
The ISKCON Sri Sri Radha Krishna Temple in Spanish Fork, Utah, renowned globally for hosting the annual Holi Festival, has come under attack in a suspected hate crime, with over two dozen bullets fired at the premises over several days, causing significant structural damage. Bullet mark on a part of the ISKCON Sri Sri Radha Krishna Temple in Spanish Fork, Utah.(X/ ISKCON) According to ISKCON, 20 to 30 bullets were fired at the temple building and surrounding property during night time 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.
