Ohio Hindu Temple Attacked With Priests, Devotees Inside

India-West News Desk

CLEVELAND, OH – A Hindu temple in suburban Cleveland was attacked with bricks on October 2 afternoon, shattering windows while priests and devotees were inside, according to two Hindu advocacy groups.

The incident took place at the Shree Swaminarayan Hindu Temple Vadtaldham in Richmond Heights, the Hindu American Foundation and the Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA) said.

CoHNA described the incident as a fresh case of “Hinduphobia” and called on Richmond Heights Mayor Kim Thomas to condemn it. The group also urged police to move quickly against those responsible.

CoHNA said the incident came as Hindus in Ohio begin observing Hindu Heritage Month and less than 10 days before Navratri, which honors the Divine Feminine.

The group said about a dozen Hindu temples in US cities have faced physical attacks since 2022. It also pointed to what it described as rising racism and anti-immigrant sentiment and a spate of hate and bigotry targeting Hindu individuals, traditions, festivals and sacred spaces, particularly online.

Law enforcement authorities are reviewing CCTV footage from the temple and the FBI and the Civil Rights Division of the US Department of Justice are being alerted.