CAIR-NY Denounces Destruction of Gandhi Statue Outside Hindu Temple in Queens, Welcomes Hate Crime Investigation

Photos courtesy of Google Maps and Assemblymember Jenifer Rajkumar’s office

(NEW YORK, NY, 8/13/2022)—The New York chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NY) today denounced the destruction of a Mahatma Gandhi statue outside of a Queens Hindu temple in the South Richmond Hill section of Queens. 

According to police, vandals targeted the Shri Tulsi Mandir in South Richmond Hill on August 3 and toppled a statue of revered Hindu leader Mahatma Gandhi, causing parts of it to crack. The Hate Crimes Task force is investigating the incident, which is the second vandalism of a Gandhi statue in New York City this year.  

SEE:  

• Queens community denounces toppled Gandhi statue outside South Richmond Hill Hindu temple 

• Vandalism of second Gandhi statue in New York City prompts calls for hate crime charges 

Afaf Nasher, Executive Director of CAIR-NY, said in a statement:  

“Mahatma Gandhi is a universal symbol of peaceful coexistence. He has inspired millions of people from all faiths and backgrounds with his nonviolent resistance against the racist brutality of British colonialism. This senseless act of destruction is a reminder for all of us that the scourge of racism and anti-religious hatred continues to plague our city and our nation, and our houses of worship continue to be targeted. We stand with the Hindu community and urge the Hate Crimes Task Force to find the culprits."

She added that CAIR-NY and the American Muslim community stand in solidarity with all those challenging racial supremacy, religious bigotry, xenophobia, and all other forms of hatred.

CAIR-NY has condemned several other disturbing hate incidents in recent weeks:    

SEE:        

• CAIR-NY Denounces Racist Party Mocking Juneteenth Sanctioned by Rochester Fire Department Captain, Calls for Transparent Investigation and Accountability 

• CAIR-NY Denounces Racist Subway Attack on Woman in Brooklyn 

• CAIR-NY Denounces Hateful, Anti-Asian Voice Message Targeting New York Senator John Liu 

• CAIR-NY Condemns Vandalism of Brooklyn Synagogue, Welcomes Arrest, Hate Crime Charges for Man Who Allegedly Painted Nazi Swastikas on Tombstones in Ellenville Cemetery 

• CAIR-NY Welcomes Attempted Murder, Hate Crime Charges for Man Who Allegedly Assaulted Elderly Asian Woman in Yonkers 

• CAIR-NY Condemns Racist Assault on Asian-American Man in Astoria, Welcomes Hate Crime Probe 

• CAIR-NY Welcomes Arrest of Trio That Left Racist, Nazi-Inspired Pamphlets in Hornell Churches, Urges Hate Crime Probe 

CAIR-NY's mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims. 

La misión de CAIR-NY es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.  

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CONTACT: Afaf Nasher, Esq., CAIR-NY Executive Director, 917-669-4006, anasher@cair.com; Ahmed Mohamed, CAIR-NY Legal Director, 646-481-2103, ahmedmohamed@cair.com