NY Assemblywoman drawing national attention to Tulsi Mandir vandalism

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New York’s only Indian-American State Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar (D-AD 38), announced a press conference scheduled for August 24, 2022 afternoon, which will be broadcast live on Facebook, to draw attention to hate crimes against the Hindu community after the Tulsi Mandir’s statue of Mahatma Gandhi was vandalized twice this month.

The Shri Tulsi Mandir located at 103-24 111th Street in South Richmond Hill experienced the first vandalism on August 3, when a group of people toppled the statue. Less than two weeks later, what appeared to be a different group totally destroyed the statue with a sledgehammer and painted graffiti on it with obscene names. They also graffitied the temple grounds and 111th Street asphalt.

Rajkumar previously convened the community on August 9 to denounce the first vandalism incident.

“Since the targeting of the Gandhi statue and the Hindu Temple, I have received an outpouring of support not just in Queens, but from people all around the world,” Rajkumar is quoted saying in the press release. “I have spoken with government leaders across the country. All are committed to re-doubling our efforts to combat anti-Hindu hate. We always knew that defeating hate would not be accomplished in one day, one week, or even one year.  We are committed to this fight for the long term, and will use the Hindu principles of ahimsa (non-violence) and satyagraha (soul force) that guided Gandhi himself and later the great American civil rights hero Martin Luther King, Jr.”

WHEN: Wednesday, August 24 1:00 pm EDT
WHERE: Shri Tulsi Mandir, 103-24 111 Street, South Richmond Hill, NY
ONLINE: Event Broadcast online at facebook.com/jenifer.rajkumar
CONTACT: Jacob Gross, Senior Advisor 347-585-0327 grossj@nyassembly.gov