California: Hindus in the US have reacted strongly after the BAPS Sri Swaminarayan Mandir in California’s Chino Hills was defaced with anti-India and anti-Hindu graffiti on Saturday. The Hindu American Foundation has shared images of the defacement on ‘X’, seeking an investigation by the FBI. They have called this a ‘latest’ in a string of hate crimes on Hindu sacred spaces.
The incident comes barely five months after a similar one at another BAPS Temple at Sacramento in the same district. The Coalition of Hindus in North America (CoHNA) also posted a strong statement on ‘X’, listing ten incidents of vandalism or burglary at Hindu temples in the US, over the past two years.
“Another Hindu Temple vandalised – this time the iconic BAPS Temple in Chino Hills, CA. It’s just another day in a world where media and academics will insist there is no Anti-Hindu hate and #Hinduphobia is just a construct of our imagination. Not surprising this happens as the day for a so called ‘Khalistan referendum’ in LA draws close,” the post reads.
The BAPS Temple at Sacramento was desecrated with hurtful graffiti on September 25, 2024. Barely 10 days before that another BAPS Sri Swaminarayan Temple at Melville, New York, was targeted.
The Consulate General of India in New York has also condemned the incident and taken up the matter with US authorities.
Meanwhile, the official BAPS ‘X’ handle has stated: “In the face of another Mandir desecration, this time in Chino Hills, CA, the Hindu community stands steadfast against hate. Together with the community in Chino Hills and Southern California, we will never let hate take root. Our common humanity and faith will ensure that peace and compassion prevail.”
