A Hindu temple was vandalized between Sunday night and Tuesday morning in the US state of Kentucky. Deity was sprayed with black paint and a knife was stabbed into a chair in main hall.
Local media reports the windows were broken and cabinets were emptied too at the Swaminarayan Temple in the Louisville city.
Authorities said investigation is in progress and Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer condemned the incident urging residents to stand up against such hate crime.
Visiting the vandalized temple Fischer said, “Anytime we see hatred or bigotry we will stand against it. The cowards who did this have only given our community more fuel and determination to embrace compassion, understanding, and each other.”
Fischer added that more work is to be done to ensure people live to their ideals of equality where everyone is treated with deserved request.
Raj Patel from the temple said, “Regardless of what religion you are, this should not happen.”
He added that people come here to worship and they should not back to see who is behind them. They should be happy to come and worship in peace.
Meanwhile, Louisville Metro Police Department Chief Steve Conrad said additional security will be provided to the temple.
Conrad added the police will do their best to hold accountable to the person who has committed such hate crime in the Swaminarayan Temple.
