The BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir in Sacramento, California, became the latest target of anti-Hindu vandalism. The incident follows a similar act of defacement at the BAPS Mandir in Long Island, New York, raising concerns over the growing pattern of targeting Hindu places of worship in the United States. 

According to a statement from the BAPS Public Affairs team, graffiti with messages such as “Hindus go back” was discovered on the walls of the temple, along with damages to the temple's property, including cut water lines. The Sacramento County Sheriff's Office has launched an investigation into the incident, with deputies responding to the temple in Mather, near Rancho Cordova.

The incident has sparked widespread outrage, particularly in the Hindu community and among elected officials. US Congressman Ami Bera, representing California’s 6th Congressional District, condemned the attack in a social media post. “There is no place for religious bigotry and hatred in #SacramentoCounty. I strongly condemn this apparent vandalism in our community,” Bera said. He called for unity against intolerance, urging that all community members, regardless of faith, feel safe and respected.

The Hindu American Foundation (HAF) has expressed its gratitude to Congressman Bera for his vocal opposition to the hate crime. In a statement, HAF highlighted the specific targeting of Hindus, noting that the messages were aimed at conflating the Hindu community with the Indian government. "This vandalism is an anti-Hindu hate crime targeting a Hindu temple with messages conflating Hindus with the Govt of India and telling Hindus to 'go home'," the Foundation said.

BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir
Image Source: Wikipedia

The vandalism at the Sacramento temple bears similarities to the attack on the BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir in New York, which occurred on 17 September. There, too, anti-Hindu messages were spray-painted on the temple’s walls. The Consulate General of India in New York condemned the act as "unacceptable" and called for swift action against the perpetrators. 

The recent spike in vandalism incidents has drawn attention to concerns about the safety of the Hindu community in the United States, especially in light of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to the country. US lawmakers, including Indian-American Congressman Shri Thanedar, have expressed their outrage over these attacks. Thanedar referred to the Sacramento incident as a “hideous act” and called for a thorough investigation into the acts of vandalism, bigotry, and hate. 

The back-to-back attacks on Hindu temples underscore the need for heightened awareness and action to combat hate crimes against religious minorities. As investigations proceed, community leaders and elected officials have united in denouncing the incidents and advocating for religious tolerance and safety for all faiths in the US. 

As the Hindu community in the US processes these tragic events, there is a shared hope for a future where such acts of hate and intolerance are eradicated, allowing people of all faiths to live in peace and harmony.

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