Bricks hurled at Ohio Hindu temple shatter windows, groups label it hate crime

Bricks were thrown at the Shree Swaminarayan Vadtal Dham temple in Richmond Heights, Ohio, around 1:30 pm on Friday, breaking several windows while priests and worshippers were inside. The Hindu American Foundation (HAF) reported significant damage and said surveillance video is being examined by police. The Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA) confirmed that the attack occurred during a worship session and called for Mayor Kim Thomas and local law‑enforcement to condemn the act and pursue the culprits. No suspect has been identified and officials have not announced an arrest or a clear motive. HAF has alerted the FBI and the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, describing the incident as a possible hate crime. In a social‑media post, HAF executive director Suhag Shukla warned that online hostility has turned into a physical assault on a Hindu place of worship. CoHNA described the episode as "Hinduphobia" and noted that it comes as Ohio’s Hindu community prepares for Hindu Heritage Month and the upcoming Navratri celebrations, which begin in less than ten days. The group cited earlier vandalism at temples in New York, California and other states but said no direct link has been established to this case.

Context

The attack adds to a series of recent incidents targeting Hindu sites in the United States, raising concerns among Indian‑American groups about rising anti‑Hindu sentiment. Authorities continue to investigate whether the brick‑throwing was motivated by religious bias or other factors.