Hindu temple vandalized in California, second incident in the US within 9 days

The Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Sacramento, California, was sprayed with anti-Hindu graffiti by unknown assailants on Wednesday.

The temple is run by the Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Sanstha, a Hindu sect headquartered in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.

The incident occurred less than ten days after a similar act of vandalism at a Sanstha-run temple in New York.

“Less than 10 days after the desecration of the BAPS Mandir in New York, our Mandir in the Sacramento, California area was desecrated last night with anti-Hindu hatred: 'Hindus, go back!' We stand united against hatred and pray for peace,” the Sanstha's public affairs wing said in a post on X.

According to the Sacramento County Sheriff's Office, when officers responded to the complaint, they discovered that the property's water lines had been cut.

The Sanstha’s public affairs wing said community leaders had agreed to a “heartfelt prayer ceremony“ after the incident.

“Inspired by Mahant Swami Maharaj, we remain committed to promoting harmony and fighting intolerance,” X said. “Together we will defeat hatred.”

Several officials attended the ceremony, including California State Assemblymember Stephanie Nguyen, Elk Grove Mayor Bobbie Singh-Allen, Rancho Cordova Deputy Mayor Siri Pulipati, Police Chief Matthew Tamayo, Sacramento County Sheriff's Office Press Secretary Amar Gandhi, Rancho Cordova Deputy City Manager David Kwong, and District Attorney Rochelle Beardsley. The Hindu.

Ami Bera, who represents CA06 and Sacramento County in the U.S. House of Representatives, condemned the vandalismand pointed out that Sacramento County must stand against religious intolerance.

“There is no place for religious fanaticism and hatred in Sacramento County,” he wrote on X. “I strongly condemn this blatant act of vandalism in our community. We must all stand against intolerance and ensure that everyone in our community, regardless of their faith, feels safe and respected.”

A similar act of vandalism was reported from the Swaminarayan Sanstha Temple in New York on September 17.

The Indian consulate in New York described the vandalism as “unacceptable” and said it had raised the matter with law enforcement authorities in the United States.

In July, the Swaminarayan Sanstha Temple in Edmonton, Canada, was sprayed with allegedly anti-Indian graffiti. The Indian consulate in Vancouver called on the Canadian authorities to investigate the incident and take immediate action against the perpetrators.