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New Jersey Governor James McGreevey condemns Akshardham attack

Shakti Bhatt in New York

In the plethora of media statements out of the US, condemning the latest terrorist attack in Gujarat, one stood out.

"I am personally saddened," New Jersey Governor James McGreevey said in a statement, "by the attack, since it took place at the Akshardham Temple I visited during my trip to India in 2000."

Condemning the attack, McGreevey requested New Jerseyans to keep the victims and families in their prayers. NJ has the third highest number of people of Indian origin, and that is reflected in the significant political presence of Indians at various levels of government.

Kiran Desai, Deputy Vice Chair of the state's Democratic Committee, met with McGreevey immediately after the news of the terrorist strike reached the US.

"[The attack] is a scar not only on Gujarat but on the entire nation," Desai said. "It is no small matter that such a terrorist act can take place at Akshardham, which is not only a place of worship but a place of history."

A statement issued by the office of Bhisham Agnihotri, Ambassador-at-large for NRIs and PIOs, accused Pakistan of "constantly attacking the limits of restraints shown by India and its strong belief in the principles of peaceful coexistence."

The statement blames India's neighbour for a "conscious provoking act to incite riots on the eve of the forthcoming elections in the state to harm civilian lives in a neighboring country."

The Gujarati Muslim Association of America, based in Chicago, Illinois, congratulated the law enforcement agencies on India for a "successful end to the siege." They urged the Indian government "to take all necessary steps to get justice for all and see that no one can take advantage of any violence for their political advantage."

The Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh, which operates 50 chapters throughout the US, asked the Indian populace to "refrain from any acts of retribution" while calling upon legal authorities to identify the terrorists and "investigate their connections, if any, to international terrorist organisations and nations that support them."

Najma Sultana of the NRIs for Secular and Harmonious India said in New York that the accused militant outfit of Tehreek-e-Kasas should be punished to the full extent.

"The Indian community in America is outraged," said Desai. "But we also know that we have to control our anger. What should happen now is the attackers should be exposed and we must go after them with all our strength."

State Assemblyman Upendra Chivukula meanwhile expressed frustration and disappointment at the attack on a temple that he had visited only last month.

"President Bush must recognise that Hinduism is a very important religion in the world and its way of life, its culture is being threatened by such acts," Chivukula said. "The US president should use the same standard in judging all terrorists, whether it is countries like Iraq or a neighbouring country of India."

The Temple Attack: Complete Coverage
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