Three Krishna Idols Stolen from London’s Swaminarayan Temple

By Little India Desk | November 12, 2018

Three idols of Lord Krishna have been stolen from Shree Swaminarayan Temple in London just a few hours after Diwali celebration, which was attended by hundreds of community members. The temple, situated in Willesden Lane in London, had these brass idols since its opening in 1975.

According to a PTI report, an information about this burglary was given to the Scotland Yard officers in the early hours of Nov.9. A case of burglary has been registered with the police.

Shree Swaminarayan Temple posted the information regarding this theft on its Facebook page.

Kurjibhai Kerai, President of Shree Swaminarayan Temple, said in the statement, “During the early hours of Friday Nov.9, 2018, the day after our Hindu New Year celebrations, the temple was broken into. Three of our beloved Hari Krishna idols were taken.”

“They have been with us since we opened in 1975 and hold a huge religious significance to all in our community,” he added and said that the community members will like to see these idols again in the temple.

The news agency quoted Metropolitan Police as saying, “Police were called at 01:50hrs on Friday, 9 November, to a report of a burglary at the Shree Swaminarayan Temple in Willesden Lane. Officers attended. The suspect had left the scene. Cash and other items are believed to have been stolen.”

The police further added that no arrest has been made yet. Officers are reviewing CCTV footage and forensic searches are also underway.

Tulip Siddiq, Labor MP from Hampstead and Kilburn, expressed her disappointment over the news of theft in the temple and shared the statement released by Shree Swaminarayan Temple. She also appealed people to call 101 to provide any information they might have about the robbery.

Upset to learn of a break-in at the Shree Swaminarayan Temple on Willesden Lane . The three idols that have been stolen were of huge religious significance to the community. Please call 101 if you have any information that you believe may help. pic.twitter.com/SaQlP3AUiF

— Tulip Siddiq (@TulipSiddiq) November 9, 2018

Rajesh Aggarwal, the Deputy Mayor of London for Business and Enterprise also took Twitter to express his thoughts regarding this burglary. He wrote, “It’s disturbing to learn that 3 Hari Krishna murtis (idols) were stolen from the Shree Swaminarayan Temple in Willesden. Police are investigating and I hope that the murtis will return home soon.”

He had recently visited the temple along with London’s Mayor Sadiq Khan to attend the celebrations.

Although the idols were made of brass, the temple administration feels that robbers might have mistaken them to be of gold, reported PTI.