'Hindus go back': 2nd BAPS temple vandalized in US
What's the story
The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in California, United States, was vandalized with xenophobic and anti-Hindu messages on Wednesday. This is the second such incident in a month after a similar act of desecration at the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Temple in Melville, New York. The messages displayed on the California temple included phrases like "Hindus go back."
Hate crime
Anti-Hindu vandalism investigated as hate crime
The Sacramento County Sheriff's Office reported that the vandals not only defaced the Hindu temple but also severed water lines on the property. The Sacramento Police are currently investigating this act of vandalism as a potential hate crime. Following the desecration, community leaders convened for a prayer ceremony at the temple attended by several local officials including California State Assembly Member Stephanie Nguyen and Mayor of Elk Grove Bobbie Singh-Allen.
Official response
Indian consulate and US Congress leaders condemn vandalism
The Consulate General of India in New York had previously condemned the vandalism at the BAPS temple in Melville, calling it "unacceptable." The consulate is in contact with the community and has urged US law enforcement authorities to take swift action against those responsible. US Congress leaders also denounced this incident as an act of "bigotry and hate," attributing it to inflammatory "rhetoric by national leaders."
Twitter Post
Investigate this as a hate crime: NGO
We strongly condemn another descretion of @BAPS temple - in #Sacramento. This is what happens when US government officials meet with proponents of vandalism. @FBI -investigate this as a #HateCrime. #StopHinduHate @BAPS_PubAffairs
— HinduPACT (@HinduPACT) September 25, 2024
@HMEC_VHPA @AHADHindu
pic.twitter.com/r6mnnE3X2i
Statement released
BAPS claims incidents aimed at inciting hatred against Hindus
The Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) issued a statement after the incident, claiming that the act was "aimed at inciting hatred against Hindus." They also noted that this is not an isolated incident, as similar acts of desecration have occurred at various Hindu mandirs across North America. Prior to this incident, over two dozen prominent American lawmakers had expressed their outrage regarding the recent vandalism of a Hindu temple in New York on September 17.