FORSYTH COUNTY — Bullet holes in a sign outside a planned Hindu temple have police keeping a closer eye on the site. It happened in Forsyth County over the July 4th holiday weekend.
“It must be something like the bird shots you know, like people used to do,” said Swami Rajendran, Winston-Salem Hindu Temple vice chairman.
Police say it was a case of vandalism. Swami Rajendran and other organizers of Winston-Salem Hindu Temple first noticed the sign after an event they held on the property on July 4th.
“We have so many religious activities at the site so that’s where we have been doing it. So, that’s the last thing we were doing on the Fourth of July,” said Rajendran.
Winston-Salem Hindu Temple organizers reported the incident to the police right after they found their sign. As a result, police have increased patrols in the area. But overall, organizers are disappointed by the act.
“We thought that Clemmons was the safest place because we have been living here we know the place nothing so far has happened here so, that is the only disappointing thing,” said Rajendran.
But it’s been happening nationally. In April, vandalism was reported at a temple in Dallas.
Universal Society of Hinduism President Rajan Zed said in a statement, “It was shocking for the hard-working, harmonious and peaceful U.S. Hindu community numbering about three million, who had made [a] lot of contributions to the nation and society, to receive such signals of hatred and anger.”
Despite the vandalism Swami and his fellow board members will continue to raise funds to bring the only Hindu temple to Forsyth County.
“We need a strong faith in God. That is the only thing that’s needed now,” said Rajendran.
There are no suspects or leads in the case. Construction is expected to begin later this year.