USA BAPS Temple Defaced with Anti-Hindu Graffiti

In a disturbing incident, the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Sacramento, California, was vandalized with hateful messages targeting the Hindu community. The graffiti, which included the threatening phrase "Hindus go back," has left the local Hindu community shaken and concerned. This act of desecration comes less than ten days after a similar incident at the BAPS Mandir in Melville, New York, raising serious questions about the increasing targeting of Hindu places of worship in the United States.

Despite the distressing nature of the incident, the Hindu community in Sacramento has responded with resilience and unity. Community leaders gathered at the temple for a heartfelt prayer ceremony, calling for peace and harmony. The BAPS Public Affairs took to X (formerly Twitter) to express their resolve, stating, "Less than 10 days after the desecration of the BAPS Mandir in New York, our Mandir in the Sacramento, CA area was desecrated last night with anti-Hindu hate: 'Hindus go back!' We stand united against hate with prayers for peace."

The vandalism has sparked widespread condemnation from political leaders and civil rights organizations. Ami Bera, U.S. Representative for California's 6th Congressional District, strongly condemned the act, stating, "There is no place for religious bigotry and hatred in #SacramentoCounty. 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." The Hindu American Foundation also responded, thanking Rep. Bera for his stance and calling the incident an "anti-Hindu hate crime."

Several U.S. lawmakers, including Indian-American Congressman Shri Thanedar, have denounced these repeated acts of vandalism and hate targeting Hindu places of worship. Thanedar condemned the latest incident as a "hideous act," urging that acts of "vandalism, bigotry, and hate" be thoroughly investigated. As the community grapples with the aftermath of this incident, there are growing calls for a swift and thorough investigation to identify and hold the perpetrators accountable under the law. The repeated nature of these attacks underscores the urgent need for increased vigilance and protection of Hindu temples and the broader Hindu community in the United States.