NYC Mayor Eric Adams visits site of vandalized Gandhi statue

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New York City Mayor Eric Adams and leaders from around the city and country visited Shri Tulsi Mandir, the site where Mahatma Gandhi’s statue was vandalized twice in a month, August 3, 2022 and August 16.

The event was organized by NY State Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar, the first Hindu and Indian-American woman elected to Albany.

The incidents are being investigated by the New York Police Department as hate crimes.

During the event Aug. 24, 2022, Mayor Adams, Rajkumar and others present, condemned the incidents and pledged to address anti-Hindu hate crimes.

The Mayor vowed to give his full support to the Hindu-American community, saying he would marshal all the resources at his disposal to locate and arrest the perpetrators, a press release from Rajkumar’s office said.

Assemblywoman Rajkumar outlined her plan to address hate crimes directed at Hindu and South Asian-Americans. This includes legislation she passed this year to create the first ever State level Asian American and Pacific Islander Commission to develop policies to end anti-Asian hate crimes.

Also speaking at the press conference were leaders from across the city including Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz, Coalition of Hindus of North America President Nikunj Trivedi, and Richmond Hill community leader Romeo Hitlall.

Other speakers included Shri Tulsi Mandir founder Pandit Lakhram Maharaj, U.S. Congressman Gregory Meeks, D-NY; Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, Jr.;Council Speaker Adrienne Adams; State Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr.; State Senator Leroy Comrie; Assemblyman David Weprin; Assemblyman Khaleel Anderson; Councilwoman Lynn Schulman; Councilwoman Joann Ariola; Hindu American Foundation Executive Director Suhag Shukla; and Queens Community Board 10 Chair Betty Braton