Indian Hindu Temple Desecrated in Huntington

By Thomas Nothel

An ugly act of anti-Indian religious bigotry in Huntington saw vandals deface and spray paint the BAPS Hindu Temple in Melville. The hate crime occurred on the eve of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit this week to Long Island.

The vandals spray painted “Hindustan Murdabad” – “Death to Hindus” – on the driveways and welcome signs to the Temple.

Two United States Congressmen – Rep. Thomas Suozzi (D-NY3) and Rep Nick LaLota (R-NY1) came to the Temple to denounce the desecration.

“This hate is the antithesis of what we see here,” stated Suozzi. “When you attack BAPS, you attack all of us.”

Also present to support the Temple were Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine; NYS Senator Mario Mattera (R-Smithtown); Assemblymen Steve Stern (D-Melville); and Keith Brown (R-Northport); Suffolk Legislators Rebecca Sanin and Jason Richberg; members of the clergy from nearby Christian and Jewish congregations; and the NAACP.

“Intolerance has no place on Long Island,” stated County Executive Romaine. “We will track down the people responsible for this vandalism…”

The BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) – the national federation of BAPS Hindu Temples - condemned the desecration of the Temple. They stated that similar incidents have taken place at various Hindu Temples across North America.

“This should never ever happen,” stated Assemblyman Keith Brown. “No matter what your faith or country of origin, this is a disgrace. We are with you.”

More than mere words, Huntington Highway Superintendent Andre Sorrentino took direct action - putting his crews to work clean away the vile spray paint as soon as the police finished their on-scene investigation.