Vandals target BAPS temple in California with derogatory graffiti, second such incident within one month

The Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in California was desecrated with derogatory and anti-Hindu remarks, a second such incident in the last 10 days.

Last week, expletives were sprayed on the road and the signs outside the BAPS Swaminarayan Temple in Melville, New York, earlier on Sep 16.

According to BAPS Public Affairs, a "Hindus go back" sign was seen at the Sacramento temple on Sep 25.

In a post on X, the temple authority said, "We stand united against hate with prayers for peace."

A "vandalism being classified as a hate crime" at the BAPS Hindu Temple in Mather is the subject of an investigation, said the Sacramento Police. The police also said that those who vandalized the shrine also severed water connections on the grounds.

They said on X, "Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) and detectives are on scene." Leaders of the Hindu community gathered at the Sacramento temple after the incident for a prayer service advocating for "peace and unity."

Melville, which lies in Suffolk County, is roughly 28 kilometers away from the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, the site of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's speech on Sep 22 before an enormous Indian community.

Labeling the graffiti in Melville "unacceptable" and a "heinous act," the Indian Consulate General in New York denounced it.

Following the vandalism of the Hindu temple, Indian-American Congressman Ami Bera, who represents Sacramento County, said that there is "no place for religious bigotry and hatred" in Sacramento.

"I strongly condemn this apparent act of vandalism in our community. All of us must stand against intolerance and ensure that everyone in our community, regardless of faith, feels safe and respected," he posted on X.

Another American Indian congressman, Ro Khanna, said, "This type of hate against Hindu Americans and vandalism is appalling and morally wrong."

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