BAPS temple in the USA defaced with “Hindus return” message, second incident within 10 days

The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in California was vandalised with anti-Hindu messages on Wednesday, the second such incident in the US in the last 10 days. The BAPS public relations department said its temple in Sacramento was vandalised with the message “Hindus, go back”.

“We stand united against hate and pray for peace,” the organization said in a post on X.

Sacramento police said they were investigating “vandalism, which is classified as a hate crime,” at the BAPS Hindu Temple in Mather. Police said the defendants also cut water lines on the property.

Meanwhile, following the incident, members of the Hindu community gathered at the temple for a prayer ceremony to promote “harmony.”

“Community leaders gathered for a heartfelt prayer ceremony at the BAPS Mandir in Sacramento, California, following the desecration of the mandir. Inspired by Mahant Swami Maharaj, we remain committed to promoting harmony and fighting intolerance. Together we will defeat hatred,” the organization said while posting images on X.

Indian-American Congressman Ami Bera responded to the incident and called on people to stand up against intolerance.

“There is no place for religious bigotry and hatred in #SacramentoCounty. 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,” the Sacramento County representative said on X.

Notably, the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Melville, New York, was vandalised earlier this month with hate messages written on the driveway and the signboard of the temple in front of the gate. The Consulate General of India in New York had condemned the act and termed it “unacceptable”, following which the matter was also raised with the US authorities.

“Unfortunately, this is not an isolated incident. Similar desecrations have occurred in various Hindu temples across North America,” said a statement from the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in New York.

A Hindu temple in Newark, California was vandalized last year. The Hindu temple Shri Swaminarayan Mandir was defaced with pro-Khalistani slogans and the incident attracted widespread attention. In his reaction to the incident, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar reiterated that extremists and separatists must not be given any space.