USA: Hindu Temple Vandalised By Miscreants In California, Centre Condemns 'Despicable Act'

The BAPS Hindu temple in California was desecrated by some unknown person in another such incident in the US, the organisation has said. Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) on Saturday said that Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Chino Hills faced desecration.

"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," the BAPS Public Affairs posted on X.

Photo Credit: https://x.com/HinduAmerican

"Our common humanity and faith will ensure that peace and compassion prevail," it said, without providing details of the incident. The Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA), an advocacy group dedicated to improving the understanding of Hinduism in North America, drew attention to past such cases and demanded a thorough investigation.

"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 that #Hinduphobia is just a construct of our imagination," it said on X.

"Not surprising this happens as the day for a so-called "Khalistan referendum" in LA draws close," it said.

CoHNA gave a list of 10 temples that have been vandalised or burglarised in the last few years.

In September, the BAPS Hindu temple in California's Sacramento was desecrated with expletive-laden graffiti, saying "Hindus go back!"

Nearly 10 days before the Sacramento incident, another BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Melville, New York, was defaced with hateful messages. The Consulate General of India in New York had strongly condemned the incident.

Centre reacts

The Ministry of External Affairs on Sunday strongly condemned the "despicable act" in the harshest terms.

In an official statement, the Ministry urged "local law enforcement authorities to take strict action against those responsible for these acts and to ensure adequate security for places of worship."

On Saturday night, BAPS in the United States confirmed the incident, stating that the "Hindu community stands steadfast against hate."

The Consulate General of India in New York also strongly denounced the incident and has raised the matter with US authorities.

According to a report released by the California Civil Rights Department (CRD) in May last year, anti-Hindu hate crimes in California have become the second-most reported form of religious bias.

The report indicated that among religion-based incidents, anti-Hindu bias accounted for 23.3 per cent, making it the second highest. Anti-Jewish bias, or anti-Semitism, ranked first at approximately 37 per cent, while anti-Muslim hate crimes were third, making up 14.6 per cent of reported religious bias incidents.

(With PTI inputs)