The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in California was on Wednesday desecrated with anti-Hindu messages, the second such incident within the US in eight days. The BAPS Public Affairs mentioned their temple in Sacramento was desecrated with a “Hindus return” message.
“We stand united towards hate with prayers for peace,” they mentioned in a put up on X.
Less than 10 days after the desecration of the @BAPS Mandir in New York, our Mandir within the Sacramento, CA space was desecrated final evening with anti-Hindu hate: “Hindus return!” We stand united towards hate with prayers for peace.
— BAPS Public Affairs (@BAPS_PubAffairs) September 25, 2024
The Sacramento Police mentioned that they have been investigating a “vandalism being categorized as a hate crime” on the BAPS Hindu Temple in Mather.
They mentioned that the accused had additionally reduce water strains on the property.
“Detectives and CSI (Crime Scene Investigation) are on scene,” they posted on X.
@sacsheriff and @RanchoCordovaPD are investigating a vandalism being categorized as a hate crime on the BAPS Hindu Temple in Mather. Detectives and CSI are on scene. pic.twitter.com/0mAyfhu9JA
— Sacramento Sheriff (@sacsheriff) September 25, 2024
Following the incident, Hindu neighborhood leaders gathered on the temple in Sacramento for a prayer ceremony calling for “peace and unity”.
Community leaders gathered for a heartfelt prayer ceremony on the @BAPS Mandir in Sacramento, CA, following the desecration of the mandir. Inspired by Mahant Swami Maharaj, we stay devoted to selling concord and standing towards intolerance. Together we are going to defeat hate. pic.twitter.com/LVBUAkCBnh
— BAPS Public Affairs (@BAPS_PubAffairs) September 26, 2024
Earlier on September 16, the street and the signage outdoors the BAPS Swaminarayan Temple in Melville, New York, have been sprayed with expletives. Melville is situated in Suffolk County and is about 28 kilometres from the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, the place Prime Minister Modi addressed a mega neighborhood occasion on Sunday.
The Consulate General of India in New York had condemned the vandalism in Melville, labelling it “unacceptable” and a “heinous act”.
“No Place For Religious Bigotry And Hatred”
Indian-American Congressman Ami Bera, who represents Sacramento County, reacted to the vandalism on the Hindu temple and mentioned that there’s “no place for spiritual bigotry and hatred” in Sacramento.
“I strongly condemn this obvious act of vandalism in our neighborhood. All of us should stand towards intolerance and be certain that everybody in our neighborhood, no matter religion, feels protected and revered,” he posted on X.
There is not any place for spiritual bigotry and hatred in #SacramentoCounty. I strongly condemn this obvious act of vandalism in our neighborhood.
All of us should stand towards intolerance and be certain that everybody in our neighborhood, no matter religion, feels protected and revered. https://t.co/TRX3Q7XJ6t
— Ami Bera, M.D. (@RepBera) September 25, 2024
Ro Khanna, one other Indian-American Congressman, spoke on the incident and mentioned that “this kind of hate towards Hindu Americans and vandalism is appalling and morally mistaken”.
“The Department of Justice should examine these hate crimes, and people accountable must be held absolutely accountable beneath the legislation,” Mr Khanna mentioned.