Temple defaced in US with 'Hindus go back' message

The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in California was on Wednesday desecrated with anti-Hindu messages, the second such incident in the US in the past 10 days. The BAPS Public Affairs said their temple in Sacramento was desecrated with a "Hindus go back" message.

"We stand united against hate with prayers for peace," the organisation said in a post on X. The Sacramento Police said that they were investigating "vandalism being classified as a hate crime" at the BAPS Hindu Temple in Mather. Police further stated that the accused also cut water lines at the property.

Meanwhile, members of the Hindu community gathered at the temple following the incident for a prayer ceremony to promote "harmony". Indian-American Congressman Ami Bera reacted to the incident and called upon people to stand against intolerance.

Notably, BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Melville, New York, was vandalised earlier this month with hate messages inscribed on the driveway and the sign of the temple outside the gate. The Consulate General of India in New York had condemned the act, calling it "unacceptable", following which the matter was also raised with US authorities.

A Hindu temple in California's Newark was vandalised last year. The Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Hindu Temple was vandalised with pro-Khalistani slogans, with the incident drawing widespread attention. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, while reacting to the incident, reiterated that extremists and separatists should not be given space.