Today, at the Shiv Shakti Peeth Temple, elected officials stood in solidarity with community leaders to condemn last week's brutal attack on Swami Ji Harish Chander Puri that occurred a few blocks from his temple. While the perpetrator was apprehended by the NYPD immediately following the attack, and has since been charged with the assault, NYC elected officials reiterated that any and all acts of harmful intolerance against our fellow New Yorkers will be denounced, as such acts have no place here and are the antithesis of NY values.

“It’s simply horrific and agonizing to think that this man of peace and spirituality, our beloved Swami Puri Ji, could be beaten so viciously in this wonderful neighborhood," Said Senator John Liu. "That he was attacked while wearing his religious robe, so near his temple, evokes every fear that this was a hate crime. Tragically, I’ve seen too many attacks of this type to believe this was a random act of violence. We all stand together united in our resolve to denounce hate and to promote peace in this community. We are also reminded of the importance of legislation passed to protect against this type of hate, such as the Religious Attire Bill explicitly prohibiting workplace discrimination on the basis of religious appearance.”

“Queens is a unique melting pot of ethnicity and culture. Acts of racism, bigotry, xenophobia and hatred have no place in our country and will only cause us to unite stronger than ever before," Said Assemblymember Clyde Vanel. "The community stands with Swami Ji Harish Chander Puri and Shiv Shakti Peeth Temple; nobody should feel unsafe expressing their religious beliefs or wearing their religious attire in public. We must work as a community to ensure the safety of all residents regardless of background or identity.”

"We must all stand together with the Hindu community against the despicable attack on Swami Ji Harish Chander Puri, which was an affront to our American values," Said Assemblyman Edward C. Braunstein. "I wish Swami Ji a speedy recovery and I am thankful that the NYPD quickly arrested the perpetrator responsible."

“There is zero tolerance for hate or bigotry of any kind in New York,” Said Attorney General Letitia James. "This was a disgusting act of hate that is antithetical to our basic values and our fundamental belief that all are welcome here. The rich diversity of our City is what makes us great, and I stand with the Hindu community today and every day.”

“I am disgusted over the violent attack on a Hindu priest in our borough,” Said U.S. Rep. Grace Meng. “This type of brutal act is un-American. The person who committed this heinous crime is a coward and I call for the perpetrator to be changed with a hate crime. People from across the globe call Queens home and we are proud to embrace this rich diversity that exists in our communities and neighborhoods. I commend the NYPD for making a swift arrest in this case and I’m confident that justice will be served. I stand with the Hindu community and wish the victim a full recovery.”

"The senseless and brutal violence that Swami Ji Harish Chander Puri endured while walking through his own neighborhood has no place in Queens or anywhere in our country for that matter," Said Senator Leroy Comrie. "Despite the deplorable actions of his attacker, Swami Ji has remarkably demonstrated to us all what it means to be forgiving and compassionate. I am praying for his health and for the comfort of the Shiv Shakti Peeth Temple community at this time."

"We stand with the Swami Ji Harish Chander Puri, Shiv Shakti Peeth Temple, and our Hindu neighbors in condemning this hateful act," Said Senator Kevin Thomas. "These acts of violence have no place in our communities. I commend Swami Ji for his grace and strength, and wish him a quick recovery. I am thankful that NYPD was able to make a swift arrest in this case. In these times, we must draw on our strengths as a community to ensure the safety of all New Yorkers."

"We've said it before and we'll say it again: an attack on one community is an attack on all of us," Said Assemblywoman Nily Rozic. "We are standing together to delineate that the hate-based attack on Swami Harish Puri Ji and all other hate crimes have no place in New York and no community should be subjected to hateful rhetoric and acts of violence.”

“We must stand together as a community to condemn the monstrous attack against Swami Ji Harish Chander Puri, who was targeted for wearing religious clothing. This year we passed the Religious Attire Bill in Albany sending a clear message that discrimination of this nature will not be tolerated,” Said Assemblyman David I. Weprin. “We are fortunate to live with neighbors from all over the world which is why I believe a hate crime against one of us is a hate crime against all of us. In New York we value diversity and I implore the NYPD to fully investigate this matter as a hate crime.”

“Violence against any member of our community is unacceptable,” Said Councilmember Barry S. Grodenchik. “I understand that the priest is doing well, and I am praying for his speedy recovery.”

“The diversity of Queens forms the strength of our greatness," Said Councilmember I. Daneek Miller.

"This attack harkens back to the 1980s where all of our city’s residents were not treated with dignity and the respect that they deserve, and where forbidden territories existed in communities across the five boroughs. We are appalled that this can happen in our home, we reject this behavior and we stand with Swami Harish Chander Puri and the community in demanding justice for this hate crime."

“It is our dharma to denounce the racist, anti-immigrant and Islamophobic rhetoric in our country today. Bigoted rhetoric and policies are the top result in bigoted actions in our communities," Said Aminta Kilawan-Narine, Esq. Co-founder & Board Member, Sadhana: Coalition of Progressive Hindus. "For Sadhana, our message is twofold: to denounce violence and bigotry, because for us, the same divinity resides equally and identically in all; and to embrace Swami Ji’s compassionate perspective recognizing that even this man who attacked Swamiji is a person who deserves our compassion. We will build a platform for truth and justice and fight hard against forces that divide. But our platform, since we are a people of deep faith, must have room for compassion and forgiveness for the misguided ones among us.”