By: Vandana Jhingan

In a powerful show of solidarity, the international education organization StandWithUs has strongly condemned a recent series of violent attacks targeting the Hindu community in Spanish Fork, Utah—calling them acts of “Hinduphobic terrorism.”

Over the past month, the renowned Krishna Temple has reportedly been shot at in three separate incidents, with over 30 rounds fired, causing structural damage and instilling fear among worshippers. In at least one of the incidents, devotees were inside the temple during the gunfire, leaving the community traumatized and on high alert.

Peggy Shapiro, Director of Policy and Outreach at StandWithUs, condemned the attacks in the strongest terms while speaking to a Board Member and Senior Journalist of IndoUS Tribune. “These hate-driven acts are intolerable and must be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” she said. “We cannot allow this wave of Hinduphobia to grow unchecked in America.”

StandWithUs has urged local leadership and law enforcement to act swiftly to protect places of worship and ensure the safety of religious minorities. The organization emphasized that hate and misinformation too often give rise to violence—whether against Hindus, Jews, or other communities.

“These acts are horrifyingly reminiscent of recent terrorist attacks on Jewish communities in Washington, D.C. and Boulder, Colorado,” said the StandWithUs statement. “With antisemitism and Hinduphobia both on the rise, we reaffirm our belief that education is the most powerful antidote to hate.”

The organization called on the United States and other pluralistic democracies to take immediate and effective steps to protect communities targeted for their faith or national origin.

“We stand firmly with the Hindu community in Spanish Fork and across the country,” Shapiro added. “Freedom of religion must not be compromised by fear and violence.”

About StandWithUs

StandWithUs (SWU) is a 23-year-old international, non-partisan educational organization that supports Israel, challenges misinformation, and combats antisemitism. The organization produces educational resources in multiple languages, conducts conferences and missions to Israel, and runs impactful programs like the StandWithUs Saidoff Legal Department and its student Fellowship and Internship initiatives.

StandWithUs also provides educational tools through its IsraelLINK middle school program, Holocaust Education Center, and K-12 Fairness Center. Headquartered in Los Angeles, SWU has a global presence with chapters across the U.S., Israel, Canada, the UK, South Africa, Brazil, Argentina, and beyond.