Washington, D.C. (December 7, 2010) - The Hindu American Foundation (HAF) leaders were stunned and outraged over the deadly bombing today that killed one child and injured dozens of others in Varanasi, India. Varanasi, a major place of pilgrimage for Hindus, sees millions of visitors annually. The bomb detonated near the Vishwanath temple, a busy area where thousands of devotees attend the daily sunset lamp ceremony on the banks of the Ganges river. The attack took place on the day after the 18th anniversary of the demolition of the Babri structure in Ayodhya, India. It has been reported that the terrorist outfit, Indian Mujahideen, sent an email claiming responsibility.
“We offer our condolences to the family whose daughter perished and pray for the speedy recovery of all those injured.” said Jay Kansara, HAF’s Associate Director. “It is our sincere hope that the state brings the perpetrators to justice. No member of any faith should be fearful of visiting a place of pilgrimage and prayer.”
Today’s bombing is the third bombing in four years for Varanasi. In 2006, serial blasts killed 15 and injured dozens more -- an attack claimed by the militant group, Lashkar-e-Kahab. And in 2007, a bomb killed more than 20 people and injured over 100, Bangladeshi terror group, Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami, sleeper cells of Pakistan’s Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed were suspected of orchestrating that attack. Government officials claimed that security forces have been lax in monitoring and policing the area prior to today’s attack.
“It is imperative that the Indian government provide adequate security in places of pilgrimage for any faith,” said Mihir Meghani, HAF co-founder and board member. “Three attacks later, the state has failed to bring security to the millions of Hindu pilgrims journeying annually to their holiest cities.
The Hindu American Foundation is a 501(c)(3), non-profit, non-partisan organization promoting the Hindu and American ideals of understanding, tolerance and pluralism.
“We offer our condolences to the family whose daughter perished and pray for the speedy recovery of all those injured.” said Jay Kansara, HAF’s Associate Director. “It is our sincere hope that the state brings the perpetrators to justice. No member of any faith should be fearful of visiting a place of pilgrimage and prayer.”
Today’s bombing is the third bombing in four years for Varanasi. In 2006, serial blasts killed 15 and injured dozens more -- an attack claimed by the militant group, Lashkar-e-Kahab. And in 2007, a bomb killed more than 20 people and injured over 100, Bangladeshi terror group, Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami, sleeper cells of Pakistan’s Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed were suspected of orchestrating that attack. Government officials claimed that security forces have been lax in monitoring and policing the area prior to today’s attack.
“It is imperative that the Indian government provide adequate security in places of pilgrimage for any faith,” said Mihir Meghani, HAF co-founder and board member. “Three attacks later, the state has failed to bring security to the millions of Hindu pilgrims journeying annually to their holiest cities.
The Hindu American Foundation is a 501(c)(3), non-profit, non-partisan organization promoting the Hindu and American ideals of understanding, tolerance and pluralism.
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