Graffiti on the temple walls contained anti-India slogans, which authorities believe may be linked to pro-Khalistan elements. This aligns with a growing pattern of attacks on Hindu temples across North America, with similar incidents reported in Canada and California earlier this year. The Hindu American Foundation has urged the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate the attack, noting the increasing threats against Hindu communities and institutions in the United States.
Khalistani separatist leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a figure associated with the organization Sikhs for Justice, has been identified as a potential orchestrator of such incidents. Pannun, who has been actively promoting the Khalistan movement—a separatist campaign seeking to create an independent Sikh state—allegedly issued recent threats against Hindu temples. His rhetoric is believed to be fueling these acts of vandalism, sparking concern among law enforcement and religious groups.
The Consulate General of India in New York expressed solidarity with the Hindu community, pledging to engage with local law enforcement to ensure the perpetrators face justice. The incident also caught the attention of U.S. lawmakers, including several members of Congress, who have condemned the vandalism and called for an end to such hate-driven attacks. Many have pointed to the ongoing tensions between certain extremist groups and Indian communities in the U.S. as a key factor behind these targeted acts of violence.
Meanwhile, religious leaders from the BAPS Swaminarayan organization expressed their dismay at the incident, emphasizing the temple’s role as a place of worship and community gathering for Hindus in New York. They called for peace and unity, urging authorities to prioritize the safety of religious institutions amid the growing threats.