US temple defaced with anti-Hindu graffiti for second time in 8 days

The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in California was desecrated with anti-Hindu messages on Wednesday, the second such incident in the U.S. in eight days. BAPS Public Affairs said its Sacramento temple was desecrated with a “Hindus, go back” message.

“We stand united against hate and pray for peace,” they wrote in a post on X.

Less than 10 days after the sacrilege of the @BAPS Mandir in New York, our Mandir in the Sacramento, CA area was desecrated last night with anti-Hindu hate: “Hindus, go back!” We stand united against hate with prayers for peace.

— BAPS Public Affairs (@BAPS_PubAffairs) September 25, 2024

Sacramento police said they are investigating a “vandalism classified as a hate crime” at the BAPS Hindu Temple in Mather.

They stated that the suspect had also cut the water pipes on the property.

“Detectives and CSI (Crime Scene Investigation) are on scene,” they wrote on X.

@sacsheriff And @RanchoCordovaPD are investigating a vandalism classified as a hate crime at the BAPS Hindu Temple in Mather. Detectives and CSI are on scene. photo.twitter.com/0mAyfhu9JA

—Sacramento Sheriff (@sacsheriff) September 25, 2024

Following the incident, leaders of the Hindu community gathered at the Sacramento temple for a prayer ceremony calling for “peace and unity.”

Community leaders gathered for a heartfelt prayer ceremony in the @BAPS Mandir in Sacramento, CA, after the desecration of the mandir. Inspired by Mahant Swami Maharaj, we remain committed to promoting harmony and opposing intolerance. Together we will defeat hate. photo.twitter.com/LVBUAkCBnh

— BAPS Public Affairs (@BAPS_PubAffairs) September 26, 2024

Earlier on September 16, the road and signage outside the BAPS Swaminarayan Temple in Melville, New York, were sprayed with insults. Melville is in Suffolk County and is about 17 miles from the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, where Prime Minister Modi addressed a mega community event on Sunday.

The Consulate General of India in New York condemned the vandalism in Melville, calling it “unacceptable” and a “heinous act”.

“No place for religious intolerance and hatred”

Indian-American Congressman Ami Bera, who represents Sacramento County, responded to the vandalism at the Hindu temple, saying there is “no place for religious bigotry and hatred” in Sacramento.

“I strongly condemn this apparent act of vandalism in our community. We must all stand up against intolerance and ensure that everyone in our community, regardless of faith, feels safe and respected,” he posted on X.

There is no place for religious intolerance and hatred in #SacramentoCountyI strongly condemn this apparent act of vandalism in our community.

We must all stand up against intolerance and ensure that everyone in our community, regardless of faith, feels safe and respected. https://t.co/TRX3Q7XJ6t

— Ami Bera, MD (@RepBera) September 25, 2024

Ro Khanna, another Indian-American congressman, spoke about the incident and said that “this kind of hatred against Hindu Americans and vandalism is abhorrent and morally reprehensible.”

“The Department of Justice must investigate these hate crimes and those responsible must be held fully accountable under the law,” Khanna said.