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 stated their temple in Sacramento was desecrated with a “Hindus return” message.
“We stand united towards hate with prayers for peace,” they stated in a publish on X.
Lower 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 stated that they had been investigating a “vandalism being labeled as a hate crime” on the BAPS Hindu Temple in Mather.
They stated that the accused had additionally minimize 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 labeled 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 group leaders gathered on the temple in Sacramento for a prayer ceremony calling for “peace and unity”.
Group leaders gathered for a heartfelt prayer ceremony on the @BAPS Mandir in Sacramento, CA, following the desecration of the mandir. Impressed by Mahant Swami Maharaj, we stay devoted to selling concord and standing towards intolerance. Collectively we’ll defeat hate. pic.twitter.com/LVBUAkCBnh
— BAPS Public Affairs (@BAPS_PubAffairs) September 26, 2024
Earlier on September 16, the highway and the signage exterior the BAPS Swaminarayan Temple in Melville, New York, had 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 group occasion on Sunday.
The Consulate Basic of India in New York had condemned the vandalism in Melville, labelling it “unacceptable” and a “heinous act”.
“No Place For Spiritual Bigotry And Hatred”
Indian-American Congressman Ami Bera, who represents Sacramento County, reacted to the vandalism on the Hindu temple and stated that there’s “no place for spiritual bigotry and hatred” in Sacramento.
“I strongly condemn this obvious act of vandalism in our group. All of us should stand towards intolerance and be sure that everybody in our group, no matter religion, feels secure and revered,” he posted on X.
There isn’t a place for spiritual bigotry and hatred in #SacramentoCounty. I strongly condemn this obvious act of vandalism in our group.
All of us should stand towards intolerance and be sure that everybody in our group, no matter religion, feels secure 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 stated that “such a hate towards Hindu People and vandalism is appalling and morally flawed”.
“The Division of Justice should examine these hate crimes, and people accountable needs to be held absolutely accountable beneath the legislation,” Mr Khanna stated.
