Desecration of Gandhi statue: Is anti-Hindu hate rising in US?

Following desecration of the Mahatma Gandhi statue in New York, the Consulate General of India in New York took up the matter with the US authorities asking the latter to bring the culprits responsible for the “despicable action” to book. The incident, which occurred on August 16, was the latest in a series of attacks on Gandhi statues in the United States.

What happened?

For the second time in 15 days, a statue of Mahatma Gandhi outside a temple in Queens, New York has been vandalised by a group of miscreants, the New York Post reported. According to local sources, as many as six men smashed the statue to pieces on Tuesday. Surveillance video showed a person hitting a statue of Mahatma Gandhi with a sledgehammer on Tuesday, before smashing the head off and toppling it over, according to CBS News. According to a report, the miscreants hit the Gandhi statue with a sledgehammer at Tulsi Mandir. Reports suggest that the attackers were caught on a surveillance camera that shows a person thrashing the statue before smashing the head off and toppling it over, according to a Times of India report.

India reacts

The Consulate said in a statement that it “strongly condemns the vandalisation of the Mahatma Gandhi statue outside a temple in Queens, New York. We have taken up the matter with US authorities seeking thorough investigation so that those responsible for such despicable action are held accountable.”

Hate crime?

The increasing anti-Gandhi rants in India triggered concerns with many believing it was an act of Hindu right wing people. New York State Assembly member Jennifer Rajkumar tweeted condemning the incident and of working towards peaceful ways to “combat anti-Hindu hate”. She also called for “the perpetrators to be apprehended swiftly, charged and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law”. Jennifer Rajkumar, a New York State Assembly member, said, “Hindu hate is on the rise…It’s outrageous. Gandhi is a symbol of peace all around the world.” According to sources, the miscreants also spray-painted the word “dog” both in front of the temple and down the block. “We recognise that the community-wide impact of hate crimes is far reaching and we vigorously investigate all occurrences of hate crimes and any hate-bias incidents,” the report quoted Constable Amy Boudreau, spokesperson for York Regional Police, as saying.

Investigation

As per the several media reports, the New York Police Department is reportedly investigating both the incidents as possible hate crimes. According to the police, the suspects fled from the scene in two cars, a white Mercedes Benz and a darker car, possibly a Toyota Camry that is possibly used as a livery cab.

—INDIA NEWS STREAM