News Brief
Attacks On Hindu Temples In US Continue: BAPS Mandir In California Latest Target, India Demands Stringent Action
BAPS Hindu Temple in California
A day after the desecration of the BAPS Hindu Temple in California, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Sunday (9 March) issued a strong condemnation, calling the act “despicable.”
The Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) said on Saturday that the Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Chino Hills, California was defaced with anti-India graffiti.
Following the desecration, the BAPS Public Affairs team posted on X (formerly Twitter), affirming the Hindu community’s resilience against hatred.
"In the face of another Mandir desecration, this time in Chino Hills, CA, the Hindu community stand steadfast against hate. Together with the community in Chino Hills and Southern California, we will never let hate take root. Our common humanity and faith will ensure that peace and compassion prevail," BAPS said in a post on X.
Taking note of the reports of the vandalism, the MEA said, “We condemn such despicable acts in the strongest terms. We call upon local law enforcement authorities to take stringent action against those responsible for these acts, and also ensure adequate security to places of worship.”
This comes less than five months after a similar incidents were reported at other Hindu temples in the US.
Condemning the incident, the Coalition of Hindus in North America (CoHNA) said that it was "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".
"Not surprising this happens as the day for a so called "Khalistan referendum" in LA draws close," it added.
While calling for an investigation, the advocacy group dedicated to improving the understanding of Hinduism in the region gave a list of 10 temples across the US that have been vandalised or burglarised from 2022 till date.
3 August 2022 & 16 August 2022 – Shri Tulsi Mandir, Queens, New York
23 December 2023 – SMVS Shri Swaminarayan Temple, Newark, California
1 January 2024 – Shiv Durga Temple, Santa Clara, California
5 January 2024 – Shree Ashta Lakshmi Temple, Fremont, California
5 January 2024 – Vijay’s Sherawali Temple, Hayward, California
11 January 2024 – Sri Panchamukha Hanuman Temple, Dublin, California
17 September 2024 – BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Melville, New York
25 September 2024 – BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir, Sacramento, California
8 March 2025 – BAPS Temple, Chino Hills, California
