Washington, DC: An Indian restaurant in the Santa Fe City of New Mexico, owned by a Sikh, was broken into and vandalized with hate messages scrawled on its walls, a media report said Tuesday.
The damage caused to India Palace restaurant is estimated to be worth $100,000, local Santa Fe Reporter said adding that the vandalization is being investigated by local police and the FBI.
Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF) has condemned the incident.
“This kind of hate and violence is unacceptable and swift action must be taken to ensure the safety and security of all Americans,” said Kiran Kaur Gill SALDEF executive director.
According to the local daily, tables were overturned, glassware was smashed into piles on the floor, wine racks were emptied, a statue of a goddess was beheaded and computers were stolen.
The vandals also turned over and destroyed food warmers while the front desk area was devastated, plates smashed and the kitchen rendered completely unusable, it said.
“I walked into the kitchen, I saw everything and I was like, hold on, what? What is going on here?” owner Baljit Singh told Santa Fe Reporter. “White power,” “Trump 2020,” “go home,” and far worse were spray-painted on walls, doors, counters and any other available surface.”
