Hindus concerned at robbery by gunman in Sacramento Hindu temple kitchen

Hindus are highly concerned after reports of robbery and violent encounter in Sacramento (California) Hindu temple kitchen with a masked gunman, where an 86-year old woman was among the vict

The Dutt family was among thims.e worshippers inside this Fijian Community Hindu temple following nighttime services, according to CBS 13

“His finger was on the gun; he wanted to shoot,” said Damodar Dutt.

The masked gunman entered this house of worship through a side door and took aim at the group inside while they were cleaning the temple’s kitchen. He went straight for the women’s jewelry, ripping it from their clothes and necks.

Among the victims was Damodar Dutt’s 86-year-old mother who suffered a gash to her head when the gunman ripped a necklace off her–and she fell to the floor.

The masked gunman ran off, after one congregant threw a chair at him.

Police are reviewing surveillance video of the violent attack that could help identify the temple targeting thief. 

Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Chicago today, said that it was shocking for the hard-working, harmonious and peaceful US Hindu community numbering about three million; who had made lot of contributions to the nation and society; to confront such incident in a house of worship and a place of prayer. 

Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, urged administration for swift action; and to Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson and Sacramento County Board of Supervisors Chair Roberta MacGlashan to contact the area Hindu community to reassure them. 

A cow’s severed complete head with a bullet to it was reportedly left at a Hindu cow sanctuary in Jackson Township in Monroe County of eastern Pennsylvania in March last. 

According to reports in 2015; 40 Hindu religious flags were burned outside a home in Queens (a New York City borough) on Thanksgiving Day; a Hindu temple was vandalized in Kitchener (Ontario) on November 15; sign of planned “Winston Salem Hindu Temple” in Clemmons (North Carolina) was hit with over 60 shotgun blasts in July; a Hindu temple was vandalized in Dallas (Texas) in April; two Hindu temples in Kent and Bothell (both in Seattle metropolitan area of Washington) were vandalized in February; a Hindu grandfather was roughed-up by police in Madison (Alabama) in February, resulting in partial paralysis. In 2014, there was anti-Hindu vandalism in Loudoun County (Virginia).