Vandalization of North Texas Hindu Temple in Dallas, United States condemned

Washington DC: Hindus in United States are have condemned the vandalization of North Texas Hindu Mandir in Dallas, reportedly around April 13.

North Texas Hindu Temple Dallas

This comes at the heels of reported vandalizing of two Hindu temples in Seattle metropolitan area of Washington State in February last, where words like “GET OUT” and “FEAR” were scrawled on the temple walls. In addition, a Hindu grandfather was roughed-up by police in Madison (Alabama) in February, resulting in partial paralysis.

Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada today, said that it was shocking for the hard-working, harmonious and peaceful US Hindu community numbering about three million; who had made lot of contributions to the nation and society; to receive such signals of hatred and anger.

Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, urged administration for swift action to regain the falling confidence of the Hindu community.

Rajan Zed suggested that basics of major world religions should be taught in high schools of the country and first responders should be imparted cultural competency training so that we understood each other better in view of increasing diversity of the country. Zed urged fellow Hindus to educate Americans about Hinduism, the oldest and third largest religion of the world with about one billion adherents, and try to remove any misconceptions about it.

Zed pointed out that reasons for the success of the US Hindu community in the areas of education, wealth and long-lasting harmonious marriages were because of them continuing with the traditional values of hard work, higher morals, stress on education, sanctity of marriage, etc., amidst so many distractions.

Rajan Zed stated that he was moved by the offer of the neighbors to help remove the graffiti and expressed his gratitude.

North Texas Hindu Mandir in Dallas, whose history goes back to 2002, organizes regular services on Sundays, which include havan, chanting, worship, discourse, arti, etc.; besides kirtan on alternate Fridays and various festivals throughout the year. It houses statues of various deities; including Shiva, Krishna, Rama, Durga, Ganesha, Laxmi, Saraswati, Kali, etc. Its mission includes “assist in various charitable causes”. Shiva Maharaj, Leela Singh, Tara Maharaj, Karen Snorton and Joshua Chowritmootoo are President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and Board Chairman respectively; while Mahendra Persad and Arjune Misir are the priests.