Latest news with #VaiWarden
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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.
India Today
01-07-2025
- India Today
Krishna temple in Utah attacked thrice with guns in June in alleged hate crime
A Hindu temple in Utah has been repeatedly shot at over several nights in June. A total of around 20–30 gunshots were fired at the Shri Shri Radha Krishna Temple in Utah's city of Spanish Fork. The attack over the last weekend of June was the third on the temple that month, which its management claims to be a hate Utah County Sheriff's office has termed these attacks "acts of vandalism". The ISKCON temple authorities have called the attacks a "hate crime"."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 in a statement released along with pictures of the shooting on Instagram. The President of the temple, Vai Warden, said the attacks could have been an outcome of "hate"."We believe this was based on hate," Vai Warden, the president of the temple two-decade-old temple is located on top of a hill in Spanish 20-30 GUNSHOT FIRED WITH DISCIPLES INSIDEadvertisementThe co-founder of the temple, Vaibhavi Devi, said that over the past several days, 20–30 bullets were fired at the temple building and the surrounding incidents occurred during nighttime hours while devotees and guests were present inside, and have caused thousands of dollars in structural damage, including to the temple's hand-carved arches, Vaibhavi Devi Dasi said in a statement issued on Monday, June videos and photos show bullet holes in the temple's walls. The casings of the rounds were also discovered outside the Shri Shri Radha Krishna Temple, reported Fox13, the Utah arm of the Fox News network."A lot of people from different religions come here. It's a sanctuary, a community sanctuary," said Vai Warden, the president of the is now working to make the temple a place of peace again."We want to find out who did this and prevent this from happening again," she was quoted as saying by Fox13."We've gone on well over these last decades with no trouble, and now suddenly, whether it's religious or politically motivated, we don't know," Warden shared with Fox 13, the Utah outlet of Fox DROVE TO THE TEMPLE THEN GUNSHOTS FIREDThe temple was built over two decades ago in the early 90s. The 10,000-square-foottemple sits on a 15-acre campus with peacocks, llamas and cows in the temple area, the report past month has been difficult for the to Warden, the temple has been shot three different times this month, with bullet holes going through an arch, exterior walls and a security video shows a car driving up to the temple's front gate and someone shooting at the sheriff's office Investigations Division is investigating the evidence found at the temple and is asking anyone with information on vandalism to contact them.A $1,000 reward has been announced for information that leads to an arrest and conviction.- Ends
News18
01-07-2025
- News18
Shots Fired At Radha Krishna Temple In Utah, Authorities Probe Suspected Hate Crime
Last Updated: Surveillance video captured a vehicle approaching the temple grounds, stopping near the fence, and someone opening fire from the vehicle before speeding away A place of worship in northern Utah has become the target of repeated gunfire, raising serious concerns about a potential hate crime against the Sri Sri Radha Krishna Temple, located just off Main Street in Spanish Fork, United states. Temple leaders say multiple shots were fired at the building over several nights in June, with bullets striking various parts of the temple's main structure—including the iconic dome, arches, and even a second-story window that opens into the main worship hall. The Utah County Sheriff's Office is investigating the case and has not ruled out the possibility of the attack being motivated by hate. According to Fox13 and The Salt Lake Tribune, the first incident occurred on the night of June 18, when temple co-founder Vai Warden heard a loud sound near the Krishna Radio station building adjacent to the temple. At first, he thought it might have been fireworks or local teenagers playing around. But the next morning, bullet holes were discovered in temple walls and windows. More gunfire followed later that same night and again on June 20, based on security footage reviewed by temple staff. Surveillance video captured a vehicle approaching the temple grounds, stopping near the fence, and someone opening fire from the vehicle before speeding away. Over 20 bullets in total struck the building, including shots fired from what appeared to be over 100 yards away. Bullet holes were found high up on the temple dome and near public gathering areas, increasing fears that the shots were intentionally aimed to intimidate. Warden added that the temple, a part of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), has never experienced this kind of violence in its three-decade history in Spanish Fork. The Sri Sri Radha Krishna Temple was built in the early 1990s and has become a beloved landmark in Utah County. Known for its annual Holi festival, it draws thousands of visitors from across the state and beyond. It also serves as a center for cultural, spiritual, and interfaith events. Following the shooting, temple leaders have installed enhanced security features, including new lighting, security cameras, taller fencing, and overnight patrols. A $1,000 reward has been announced for any information that leads to the identification and arrest of the suspect(s). The Utah County Sheriff's Office is leading the investigation. Officers have collected shell casings and are reviewing video footage. So far, no arrests have been made, and authorities are asking for the public's help. In a statement to The Salt Lake Tribune, the sheriff's office confirmed the ongoing investigation and said they are taking the case seriously, given the possible implications of religiously motivated violence. Community members and faith leaders across Utah have expressed concern and solidarity, urging swift justice and greater protection for religious institutions. The attack comes at a time of growing awareness about religious tolerance and the safety of minority communities in the US. Though law enforcement has not officially declared the incident a hate crime, the nature of the attack has sparked conversations about racial and religious bias, particularly against non-Christian communities in smaller towns. 'We're not going to shut our doors," Warden told ISKCON News. 'We'll keep the temple open. But this should never have happened, and we want to make sure it doesn't happen to anyone else."
