On the night of Wednesday, the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in the Sacramento area of California was desecrated with anti-Hindu messages. Notably, this incident occurred in just less than ten days after a similar act of vandalism took place in New York.
The messages included disrespectful phrases such as ‘Hindus go back’, bringing concerns among the local Hindu community. The community expressed its commitment to standing united against hate. The BAPS Public Affairs tweeted on X, ‘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’.
According to the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office, deputies replied to the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Mather, near Rancho Cordova, where the graffiti was discovered. The deputies also reported that vandals had cut water lines at the property. However, in response to the vandalism, Ami Bera, representing CA06 and Sacramento County in the US House of Representatives, posted on X, ‘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, which promotes human dignity, mutual respect thanked Bera for addressing the issue of hate crime targeting a Hindu temple. The Hindu American Foundation tweeted on X, ‘Thank you @RepBera. This vandalism is an anti-Hindu hate crime targeting a Hindu temple with messages conflating Hindus with the Government of India and telling Hindus to ‘go home’.
Earlier on September 17, another similar incident of vandalism occurred at the BAPS Swaminarayan Temple in New York. The Consulate General of India in New York condemned the vandalism of the BAPS Swaminarayan Temple in Melville, New York, labeling it ‘unacceptable’.
Several US lawmakers also condemned the desecration of the BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir in New York, asking for ccountability from the authorities. Congress members raised concerns about repeated incidents of hate and violence in the country. Indian-American Congressman Shri Thanedar strongly condemned the act and stressed that such acts of vandalism must be fully investigated.
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