On September 28th, 2014 some Hindus requested Hindu Janajagruti Samiti (HJS) to protest to the US Consulate in Bhaarat (India) regarding vandalism on the property of Vishwa Bhavan, a Hindu temple in Monroe, Georgia. Profanities and phrases like “ha ha” and “LOL” were spray painted on the walls of this temple along with other acts of vandalism.
Looking at severity of the situation, HJS promptly sent a letter to Mr. Peter Haas, Consul General of the U.S. Consulate in Mumbai informing him of the shocking incident. Further it was explained to him how this heinous act was carried out and how this has hurt the religious sentiments of the Hindu community in Georgia and around the world. The gravity of the situation was emphasized as this was not the first time vandals have acted disrespectfully and attacked the Hindu temple in Georgia.
The HJS protest team has still not received a response from Mr. Haas, the US Consul General. In addition to this effort, HJS also tried to contact the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India seeking help and support but no response has been received from there either.
Hence, Hindu Janajagruti Samiti (HJS) now appeals all readers to protest against these shocking incidents, peacefully and lawfully by either writing an email or calling the number below:
Email : [email protected]
Phone: (91-22) 2672-4000
Please see below the letter sent from HJS to the US Consulate Mumbai:
To,
U.S. Consulate General, Mumbai
C-49, G-Block, Bandra Kurla Complex
Bandra East, Mumbai 400051
Phone: (91-22) 2672-4000
Email: [email protected]
Kind Attn: Mr. Peter Haas , Consul General
Respected Sir/Madam,
Sub: Request to stop attacks on Hindu temples in US, state of Georgia
Hindu Janajagruti Samiti is an NGO engaged in Nation building, educating people on Righteousness and Abiding by Righteousness, awakening Hindus peacefully and through lawful means. For details, please visit our website www.HinduJagruti.org.
We were shocked to know vandals attacked Vishwa Bhavan a Hindu temple in Monroe, Georgia by spray-painting profanities and phrases like “ha ha” and “LOL” on the walls. The perpetrators also broke into the small outbuilding that held the temple’s sacred relics, tore out the icon of the deity Shiva and painted it completely black. MyFoxAtlanta.com reported that this was the second time vandals struck the Vishwa Bhavan temple. In 2013, they sabotaged the building’s air conditioners. The desecration of the Lord Shiva statue was significantly heartbreaking for the Hindu community in Georgia, as it is the main deity of worship. The detailed news can be viewed on https://www.hindujagruti.org/news/20294.html
Sir, Kindly note that temples are faith centers to give mental peace and inspiration to do spiritual practice. Temples transmit very positive and good vibrations (Sattvikata) so that the entire atmosphere gets purified. We have received a lot of complaints from devout Hindus all over the world and expressed their desire that the US Government must protect Hindus and their faith centers in the US. This is much more important in the background of the visit of Indian Prime Minister to USA to improve cordial relations.
Please acknowledge this letter and inform us in writing about the action taken by you failing which we will be forced to start a protest campaign.
Yours truly,
(S.G.Vatkar)
Coordinator
Hindu Janajagruti Samiti,
Tel No. 093 22533595
c.c. Hon.Smt. Sushma Swaraj,
Minister of External Affairs, Government of India,
sushmaswaraj@ hotmail.com
Address: South Block, New Delhi, 110011
+91 11 23011127, 23011165 (Off.)
+91 11 23013254 (Fax)
