Many New Yorkers including the representative of the 5th Congressional District of New York Rep. Gregory Meeks, representative of 12th Congressional District Rep. Carolyn B. Maloney and Indian parliamentarian Shashi Tharoor have condemned the attack on a Hindu priest Swami Harish Chander Puri near Shiv Shakti Peeth temple in Glen Oaks, New York.
According to media reports, Swami Harish Chander Puri was attacked by a 52-year-old man on Thursday morning.
He told local TV Channel PIX11 that he was attacked from behind while he was walking down the street around 11 am (local time).
Swami Puri suffered bruises and was rushed to the hospital. He was later released from the hospital and attended prayers at the temple on Sunday.
In a video posted on the temple's Facebook page, he told the audience that the religion "that loves everybody has endured numerous attacks but never changed."
New York police arrested a man in connection to the incident and is looking into whether it was a hate crime or not.
The incident occurred a day after US President Donald Trump targeted four democrat congresswomen asking them to 'go back' to their countries.
Indian Congress Party MP Shashi Tharoor links Trump's tweet to the attack on the Hindu priest.
"When the US President targets immigrants & encourages chants of "send her back" at rallies, real harm is inflicted on innocents. Have received reports of a brutal attack on Swami Harish Chander Puri Ji, priest of the Shiv Shakti Peeth temple in Glen Oaks, Queens, NY," Mr Tharoor tweeted.
"Swamiji was attacked on Thursday by a man who reportedly screamed, "this is my neighbourhood." Thankfully this advocate of compassion & harmonious coexistence is recovering from his injuries. The danger of bigoted language, increasingly apparent in our India, hurts the US too."
Organizations such as the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and Sadhana: Coalition of Progressive Hindus have condemned the attack and urged the NY Police department to take strong actions against such incidents.
"Bigotry and xenophobia does not distinguish between Hindus and Muslims, or black or brown skin. When the US President targets immigrants and refugees and encourages chants of "send her back" at rallies, this results in real harm inflicted on our communities," Sadhna said in a statement.
"Just a few weeks ago, Queens was declared the nation's most diverse large county according to a new study of 2017 census data. It is deplorable that in a place as diverse as Queens, such an atrocity can occur."
American film actor Piper Perabo has also sent her best wishes to Swami Harish Chander Puri.
"Our family is sending love to you Swami Harish Chander Puri. We are New Yorkers too, and this hatred does not belong in our city, or in our world. We love you. Prayers for a speedy recovery," she said in a tweet.
