Washington, DC – There were a couple of hate crimes rearing their ugly heads in the Western State of Washington over the weekend. On the eve of celebrations to mark the Hindu festival of Maha Shivratri, hate graffiti was found on the side of the Seattle-area’s largest Hindu temple on Sunday morning. Management from the Hindu Temple Cultural Center of Bothell, 36 km from Seattle of Washington State, immediately reported the vandalism consisting of a “swastika” and “Get Out” spray painted in red on the temple building to local law enforcement.
“The Bothell Hindu temple has been here for more than 20 years and we have never had any issues,” worshipper Sriram Subramaian told local news site Komo News. “I have no idea, I was surprised,” Sriram added.
Interesting to note that the swastika, an important symbol for thousands of years among Hindus in India was painted, showing that perpetrators of the hate crime.lacked knowledge of Hindu religion.
“The timing of this crime, occurring before a major Hindu festival (Maha Shivaratri), warrants special attention from law enforcement,” said Jay Kansara, Director of Government Relations at Hindu American Foundation (HAF). “We are encouraged by the ongoing thorough investigation of the Bothell City Police Department. HAF will continue to engage through the local community with city, state, and federal officials until the perpetrator(s) is brought to justice,” Kansara added.
Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, President of Universal Society of Hinduism in a statement in Nevada on Monday, said that it was shocking for the hard-working, harmonious and peaceful Hindu community; who had made lot of contributions to the nation and society; to receive such signals of hatred and anger.
“Houses of worship are places where people should be able to be safe, at peace, and inspired to serve others,” said Padma Kuppa, HAF Board member. “Instead, the vandalism of the Hindu temple in Seattle and the arson of a mosque in Houston this past weekend incite fear and result in distrust among communities.”
There has been a spate of anti-Hindu across the US in recent months. Between July and October in Loudon County in Virginia, police documented 17 separate incidents of anti-Hindu vandalism, HAF said. – See more at: http://www.greatandhra.com/articles/special-articles/hindu-temple-vandalized-in-washington-state-64000.html#sthash.GFXU3RV1.dpuf
As of January 1, 2015, the US Department of Justice ordered all crime reporting forms to include the category anti-Hindu under the possible motives of hate crimes.
Moreover, just a few blocks from the Hindu temple, the vandals also targeted Skyview Middle School writing “Muslims get out” in red paint on the school building.