Leaders Denounce Vandalism of Hindu Temple in Melville

Dozens of elected officials gathered Monday in Melville to denounce threatening graffitti that defaced the Hindu temple BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir.

The driveway into the temple on Deshon Drive and a welcome sign near the entrance were spray painted sometime overnight,  the temple said. The driveway graffitti directed a vulgarity at Indian prime minister Narendra Modi; a welcome sign near the entrance to the temple was spraypainted to call Modi a terrorist and the words “Hindustan Murdabad,” which the temple translated as “Death to Hindus” was painted across the top of the sign.

Two members of Congress, Democrat Tom Suozzi and Republican Nick LaLota, Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine, State Sen. Mario Mattera, State Assemblymen Keith Brown and Steve Stern, Town Supervisor Ed Smyth, Suffolk Legislators Rebecca Sanin and Jason Richberg, and many others praised the Hindu faithful for their contributions to the greater Long Island community and stressed the unacceptance of hate directed at anyone.

Despite their political differences, officials sent a unified response that the message left by the graffitti and its perpetrators was unwelcome on Long Island.

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

Romaine said, “Intolerance has no place on Long Island,” and added that “We will track down the people responsible” for the vandalism, which he called “nothing short of disrespectful.”

“This is a very special place,” Stern said. “They feed the hungry, they plant trees, they walk to overcome cancer. They are an exemplary part of the community. Hate will not have a home here.”

Members of the temple thanked Stern for immediately responding to the reports of the vandalism, and thanks police for their quick response.

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

And Sanin said, “This is not just an assault on this temple, but against humanity.”

Richberg called it “A deliberate attack,” and said that people need to speak up whenever they hear hate against others expressed.

Jewish and Christian faith leaders joined the crowd to support the temple, as did Tracey Edwards, representing the NAACP, Suffolk County Comptroller John Kennedy, former Suffolk legislator Rob Calarco, and former Assemblyman Mike LiPetri, who is running against Suozzi in the 3rd congressional district.

LiPetri, who is campaigning to defeat Suozzi, said, “Criminals feel emboldened and this is why we need to strong laws to do what the community wants” to ensure safety.

On site were representatives of the state attorney general’s office, the Suffolk County sheriff’s office, and Inspector Kevin Williams, commander of the Second Precinct, and William Scrima, executive officer of the SCPD chief of patrol’s office.

Some members of the temple chanted “God bless India” at the end of the press conference.

Highway Superintendent Andre Sorrentino was preparing to clean away the paint as soon as the  police finished their on-scene investigation.