HMEC Responds to Attack on Hindu Temple in Queen, NY

by AdvocacyPress Release

August 12, 2022

HinduPACT Responds to Attack on Hindu Temple in Queen, New York

WASHINGTON, D.C – HinduPACT condemns the vandalization of a statue of Mahatma Gandhi outside the Shri Tulsi Mandir temple in Queens, New York last Wednesday. An unidentified individual knocked the statue over and left it face down on the ground with its arm cracked and hand broken into pieces. 

Utsav Chakrabarti, Executive Director of HinduPACT, said, “This is the fourth attempt at destroying a Gandhi statue across North America and the fifth attack on a Hindu temple in the past year. There is a concerted campaign at spreading anti-Hindu hate in major urban centers across the country. The rise in anti-Hindu attacks over the last few years has been carried out by the same groups and individuals that target Jews and spread anti-Semitism.”

Ajay Shah, the President of World Hindu Council of America and Convenor of HinduPACT and American Hindus Against Defamation (AHAD) said, “This represents not just a hate crime against American Hindus but also a deep rooted insecurity of hate mongers. We believe that the targeting of the Hindu mandir and specifically vandalism of Mahatma Gandhi’s statue is an act against the core Hindu ideals of peace, coexistence, respect for diverse religious beliefs and the promotion of diversity and equality among all human beings.” 

 Tejal Amit Shah, Convener of Hindu Mandir Executives’ Conference (HMEC), said, “This act of vandalism took place during the holy month of Shravan (9th month of Hindu Calendar), when Hindus are engaged in traditional worships, fasting, and, religious and spiritual practices.” She added, “This is very upsetting for the Hindu community in general. It is a sign of hate crime and Hinduphobia. We strongly condemn this. HMEC thanks NY State Assemblywoman Jennifer Rajkumar for holding the press conference and providing support to the local community. HMEC also appeals to law enforcement to get to the root cause and bring a lawful close to this unfortunate incident.”

HMEC, AHAD and HinduPACT are initiatives of World Hindu Council of America (VHPA)

VHPA / HMEC Decries Attack on Hindu Priest in New York

by AdvocacyPress Release
 

July 21, 2019

VHPA Decries Attack on Hindu Priest in New York

Press Release
 

The following statement was issued by World Hindu Council of America (VHPA)   

The World Hindu Council of America (VHPA) decries the attack on the Hindu priest, Swamiji Harishchander Puri in Queens, New York.  Swamiji, the priest at the Shiv Shakti Peeth in Glen Oaks, was walking down the street wearing his religious dress, clearly identifying him as a Hindu priest.   

Speaking on behalf of VHPA and American Hindus Against Defamation (AHAD), Ajay Shah, Vice President of VHPA for Awareness and PR and Conveneer of AHAD said, 

“The attack on the Hindu priest in Queens, NY is just beyond an attack on a Hindu priest as an individual.  This attack is the manifestation of hate towards Hindu community and mode of worship, and it is clearly intended to intimidate Hindus of Queens.  VHPA and AHAD demand that the NY police immediately investigate this attack on Swamiji Harishchander Puri as a hate crime and prosecute the perpetrator of the crime to the fullest extent of law.”

Sanjay Mehta, General Secretary of VHPA and a key organizer of Hindu Mandir Executives’ Conference (HMEC) stated that, 

“HMEC condemns the attack on Swami Harishchander Puriji of Shiv Shakti Peeth Mandir in Queens, NY.  While we count on the law enforcement to take action against the perpetrator of crime against Swami Harishchander Puri, the HMEC stands ready to provide legal and other support needed by Swamiji, Shiv Shakti Peeth and the Queens Hindu community.   HMEC and its associated project, HIndu Mandir Priests Conference (HMPC), will continue to fight ignorance of Hindu dharma and hate towards Hindus.  In the upcoming annual meet of HMEC, from Sept 20-22, 2019 in East Hanover, New Jersey, there will be a special workshop on Mandir security and broader community engagement and education.”  

About World Hindu Council of America (VHPA)

World Hindu Council of America (VHPA) is the most prominent organization of Hindus in USA.  Founded in 1970, it has branches across the country.   VHPA runs educational programs for Hindu children and youth in addition to community service (seva) activities.

About American Hindus Against Defamation (AHAD)

A project of VHPA, AHAD is the first and foremost coalition of prominent Hindu organizations dedicated to the the preservation of the sanctity of Hindu symbols, icons, culture and customs.

About Hindu Mandir Executives’ Conference (HMEC)

An initiative of VHPA, HMEC offers Mandir (temple) Executives’, Priests, Hindu community leaders and Scholars a networking forum for: 

  • Building, preserving and strengthening of Mandirs in North America
  • Engaging youth in temple operations
  • Providing leadership, networking and building a strong community
  • Engaging in interfaith dialog
  • Social Services

Hundreds of mandir executives participate in HMEC each year.

About Hindu Mandir Priests’ Conference (HMPC)

An initiative of VHPA and HMEC, HMPC is forum that brings HIndu priests from North American temples together.

  • The purohits (priests) play an essential role in the spiritual and cultural welfare of North American Hindu society. The conferees will explore ways to make the priests’ roles more effective in meeting the ever changing needs of North American Hindus.

Louisville, KY Temple: Desecration of Hindu Temple a Hate Crime

by AdvocacyPress Release

The World Hindu Council of America strongly condemns the vandalism at the Hindu mandir in Louisville, Kentucky. The Swaminarayan Mandir murti was desecrated and walls were painted with hate-filled messages. This act was not merely meant to insult the Hindu faith, but also to intimidate the Hindu community of Louisville.

Speaking on behalf of VHPA and American Hindus Against Defamation, Ajay Shah, vice president of VHPA for Awareness and PR and convener of AHAD, said,

 

“The vandalism and desecration of Hindu temple in Louisville is a hate filled attack on the most peaceful religious minority in the U.S. This action should not go unpunished. VHPA and AHAD demand that the U.S. Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division immediately investigate this attack on the Hindu temple as hate crime and prosecute the perpetrators of the crime to the fullest extent of law.”

Sanjay Mehta, general secretary of VHPA and a key organizer of Hindu Mandir Executives’ Conference, stated that,

“HMEC condemns the abhorrent attack on the Swaminarayan Mandir in Louisville, KY. HMEC is resolved to comprehensively address the vandalism, safety and security of Hindu mandirs. In the upcoming annual meet of HMEC, there will be a special workshop on Mandir security and broader community engagement and education.”