Elected officials unveiled a new Mahatma Gandhi statue outside a South Richmond Hill temple to replace the one that was toppled at the site last year as part of a hate crime.
Assembly Member Jenifer Rajkumar, the first Hindu-American elected to New York State Office, led a ceremony Sunday afternoon outside of Shree Tulsi Mandir, located at 103-24 111th St., following the destruction of the original statue in August 2022. The statue was toppled and smashed with a sledgehammer, with the vandals also spray painting it.
Rajkumar, who played a pivotal role in having the August incident investigated as an Anti-Hindu hate crime, emphasized the community’s strength and unity at the unveiling.
“Hate against Hindu-Americans will not be tolerated in my district, in Queens or anywhere in New York City,” she said, reflecting on the significance of the vandalism being one of the first crimes classified as an anti-Hindu hate crime in New York City.
“Together we showed the world that we are proud Hindu-Americans, we fight hate with love and unity,” Rajkumar added, highlighting the community’s commitment to Gandhi’s principles of love, unity, non-violence, and peace.
Assembly Member David Weprin spoke on the broader implications of the statue, calling it “a great symbol for all of our children to learn from,” and emphasizing Gandhi’s role as the father of a movement that transcends cultural and religious boundaries.
Meanwhile, Council Member Lynn Schulman spoke about the resilience of the community following the vandalism. “The vandalism shocked us but did not destroy our spirit. As we unveil the new Gandhi statue today, we’re doing so with a profound sense of triumph over darkness,” Schulman remarked, celebrating the community’s unity and resilience.
Mayor Eric Adams shared his reflections on visiting Gandhi’s home in India and seeing where the Indian leader took his final steps before being assassinated.
“The bullet can take away the physical presence, but it cannot destroy the anatomy of the spirit,” Adams said, underscoring the enduring spirit of Gandhi and the community’s responsibility to continue his legacy of peace and humanity.
NYPD Chief Kevin Williams expressed the department’s commitment to combating hate. “Today is about resiliency. We will not succumb to people who want to do hate,” he stated, affirming the NYPD’s dedication to eradicating hate in all forms.
Cops arrested Sukhpal Singh, 27, for the crime in September on charges of criminal mischief as a hate crime. He was allegedly part of a group of about five people who smashed the statue and vandalized the temple.
Pandit Lakhram Maharaj, founder of Shree Tulsi Mandir Hindu Temple, echoed the sentiments of love and change. “As we come together with love, we are able to overcome hate. Gandhi teaches us to be the change we want to see, and as people pass by the new statue, I hope our community can come together and start loving each other,” Maharaj said, encapsulating the event’s message.
Additional reporting by Paul Frangipane
