“Important to put an end to anti-India agenda”: VHP spokesperson Vinod Bansal on temple defacing incident in US

After the Swaminarayan temple in Newark, California was defaced by suspected pro-Khalistan activists, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad National Spokesperson, Vinod Bansal, said on Saturday that it is important to put an end to the anti-India agenda wherever it is going on in any corner of the world and American government should ensure strict action against culprits in the temple incident.
“The way the anti-nationals and anti-Indians have tried to attack the Swami Narayan temple of America by defacing the wall of the temple is condemnable and worrying. The American government should seriously investigate this matter and ensure strict action against all such criminals who are involved in anti-India agenda and who are engaged in nurturing terrorists,” said VHP spokesperson Vinod Bansal.
“No person in the world will accept calling the terrorists right and then talking about humanity. We have to come out of this mentality and it is very important to put a complete end to the anti-India agenda wherever it is going on in any corner of the world,” he added.
Sadhu Nirlep Swaroopdas from Swaminarayan Mandir Vasna Sanstha (SMVS), speaking on the incident called it a sad activity.
“Our temple, situated at Newark, California was targeted by some Khalistani supporters and they wrote some sentences against India and against Prime Minister Narendra Modi which is a sad activity. They have targeted our nation, our country and our culture by targeting this temple so we have raised this issue with the local authority, local mayor, and local city manager,” said Swami Nirlep.

“The city manager and head of the police department of that area visited the temple site yesterday and saw the situation. They have taken this issue very seriously, and they have assured us that they will look into this matter and try that this kind of incident does not happen in the future,” he added.
He further said that people from the Indian communities — some Hindu American associations, some Hindu organizations, some temples and Gurudwaras — also stood with us yesterday giving us the message that they are with us and our organization in this incident.
“This kind of incident is really sad but it cannot divide us, rather this will unite us and yesterday we saw that both Americans and Indians stood together,” he said.
The Kothari saint of Vadtal Swaminarayan Temple in the Kheda district of Gujarat, Dr Ballabhadas Swami while reacting to the incident said, “The attack on the temple is not just on the temple but an attack on the culture of India as a whole as India is gaining all the recognition as a nation.”
“I would sincerely request the Indian Government and the American Government that this type of religious freedom should not be allowed to anyone and such incidents should not happen. Everyone should live life with respect,” he added.
Suspected pro-Khalistan activists allegedly defaced the Swaminarayan temple in Newark, California, police said, adding that the incident came to light on Friday (local time).
The exterior wall of the Hindu temple was defaced with anti-India graffiti. The Newark Police Service has started an investigation into the vandalism.
The police official said to piece together the chain of events leading to the act of defacement, the footage from surveillance cameras in the neighbouring residences was being looked into