External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday expressed concern over the vandalism of a Hindu temple, SMVS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in California, United States, with anti-India graffiti, saying that extremists and separatist forces outside India should not get such space.

“I have seen the news. As you know, we are concerned about this. Extremists and separatist forces outside India should not get space. Our consulate has lodged a complaint with the (US) government and the police there over whatever happened, and I believe the matter is being inquired,” he told reporters when asked about the incident on the sidelines of the third convocation of the Rashtriya Raksha University in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.

— ANI (@ANI) December 23, 2023

The walls of the SMVS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in California were defaced and the word ‘Khalistan’ could be seen spray-painted on a signpost outside the temple along with other objectionable graffiti. The images were widely circulated on social media.

The Indian Embassy in San Francisco has sought a probe into the matter.

The Consulate General of India in San Francisco strongly condemned the incident in a post on social media platform X. “This incident has hurt the sentiments of the Indian community. We have pressed for quick investigation and prompt action against the vandals by the US authorities in this matter,” the post read.

The police department in Newark, California said that at approximately 8.35 AM on Friday, they received a report of graffiti at the temple, reported PTI.

The Newark police said any acts or threats of violence, property damage, harassment, intimidation, or other crimes motivated by hate or bias are considered very serious and given very high priority.

Talking about the arrest of Nikhil Gupta in the Czech Republic over the accusation that he was planning to assassinate US-based pro-Khalistan activist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun in collaboration with an Indian official, the Union minister said the Indian embassy was provided consular access to him (by that country’s government).

“Whenever an Indian citizen is arrested, we seek consular access for their care which we have received thrice,” he said, as quoted by PTI.