The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in California was on Wednesday desecrated with anti-Hindu messages, the second such incident in the US in the past 10 days. The BAPS Public Affairs said their temple in Sacramento was desecrated with a “Hindus go back” message.
“We stand united against hate with prayers for peace,” they said in a post on X.
The Sacramento Police said that they were investigating “vandalism being classified as a hate crime” at the BAPS Hindu Temple in Mather. Police further stated that the accused also cut water lines at the property.
Those who defaced the temple also cut water lines at the property, the police said.
“Detectives and CSI (Crime Scene Investigation) are on scene,” they posted on X.
Meanwhile, members of the Hindu community gathered at the temple following the incident for a prayer ceremony to promote “harmony”.
“Community leaders gathered for a heartfelt prayer ceremony at the BAPS Mandir in Sacramento, CA, following the desecration of the mandir. Inspired by Mahant Swami Maharaj, we remain dedicated to promoting harmony and standing against intolerance. Together we will defeat hate,” the organisation said while posting pictures on X.
Earlier on September 16, the road and the signage outside the BAPS Swaminarayan Temple in Melville, New York, were sprayed with expletives. Melville is located in Suffolk County and is about 28 km from the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a mega Indian community event on Sunday.
The Consulate General of India in New York had condemned the vandalism in Melville, labelling it “unacceptable” and a “heinous act”.
Notably, BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Melville, New York, was vandalised earlier this month with hate messages inscribed on the driveway and the sign of the temple outside the gate. The Consulate General of India in New York had condemned act, calling it “unacceptable”, following which the matter was also raised with US authorities.
“Unfortunately, this is not an isolated incident. Similar acts of desecration have occurred at various Hindu Mandirs across North America,” BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in New York said in a statement.
Earlier in July, the BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir was vandalised in Canada’s Edmonton. Canadian MP Chandra Arya voiced deep concern over the escalating incidents of hate-fuelled violence directed at Hindu-Canadian communities.
