BAPS Hindu temple vandalized in California’s Chino Hills
A prominent Hindu temple in the United States was defaced with anti-India graffiti by unknown individuals, prompting a strong condemnation from India and a demand for “stringent action” against those involved in the incident. Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) said that its Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Chino Hills city of San Bernardino County faced desecration. Chino Hills borders Los Angeles County.
“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. “Our common humanity and faith will ensure that peace and compassion prevail,” it said, without providing details of the incident.
India condemns vandalism
India on Sunday strongly condemned the incident and called for adequate security to the places of worship in view of the incident. “We have seen reports regarding the vandalism at a Hindu temple in Chino Hills, California. We condemn such despicable acts in the strongest terms,” External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal in New Delhi while responding to media queries on the incident.
“We call upon the local law enforcement authorities to take stringent action against those responsible for these acts, and also ensure adequate security to places of worship,” he said.
The opposition Congress party also condemned the incident, saying such acts of hatred and intolerance were utterly unacceptable. “The Indian National Congress condemns in the strongest possible terms, the vandalism of the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Chino Hills, California,” Congress’ media and publicity department head Pawan Khera said in a post on X. “Such acts of hatred and intolerance are utterly unacceptable and have no place in any civilized society,” he said and demanded action against the desecrators.
Patanjali Ayurved’s co-founder Baba Ramdev condemned vandalism at the temple and said India should take the initiative in finding a way to curb “religious terrorism”. Hindu American Foundation, a non-profit advocacy group in the US, said the vandalism at the largest Hindu temple in California occurred on Saturday and demanded the FBI and its Director Kash Patel to probe the matter. “We ask @ChinoHills_PD, @FBI @FBIDirectorKash @DNIGabbard to investigate this latest in a string of anti-Hindu hate crimes on our sacred spaces,” it said.
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 (Los Angeles) 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.
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American culture is on display through the graffiti