Hindu Temple Defaced In US: The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in California faced vandalism with anti-Hindu messages on Wednesday, marking the second such incident in the US within eight days. BAPS Public Affairs reported that the vandal had defaced their temple in Sacramento with a message saying “Hindus go back.”
They posted on X, saying, “We are united against hate and praying for peace.”
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.
— BAPS Public Affairs (@BAPS_PubAffairs) September 25, 2024
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‘Suspect Cut Water Lines In That Property’: Sacramento Police
The Sacramento Police announced the investigation of this vandalism case at BAPS Hindu Temple in Mather as a hate crime. The police also said the suspect cut water lines at the property.
@sacsheriff and @RanchoCordovaPD are investigating a vandalism being classified as a hate crime at the BAPS Hindu Temple in Mather. Detectives and CSI are on scene. pic.twitter.com/0mAyfhu9JA
— Sacramento Sheriff (@sacsheriff) September 25, 2024
They posted on X that “Detectives and CSI are at the scene.” Following the incident, the Hindu community leaders held a prayer ceremony within the Sacramento temple to invoke “peace and unity.”
The phrases included expletives. Earlier on Sunday, a vandal sprayed them on the road and signs outside the BAPS Swaminarayan Temple in Melville, New York. Melville is located in Suffolk County, about 28 kilometers from the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum where Prime Minister Modi spoke at a large community event on Sunday.
The Consulate General of India in New York condemned the vandalism in Melville, calling it “unacceptable” and a “heinous act.”
Indian-American Congressman Talks On Hindu Temple Defaced In US
In a statement, Indian-American Congressman Ami Bera, representing Sacramento County, said, “There is no place for religious bigotry and hatred” in Sacramento. We have all to stand against intolerance and ensure everyone, regardless of their religion, feels safe and respected,” he tweeted on X.
There is no place for religious bigotry and hatred in #SacramentoCounty. I strongly condemn this apparent act of vandalism in our community.
— Ami Bera, M.D. (@RepBera) September 25, 2024
All of us must stand against intolerance and ensure that everyone in our community, regardless of faith, feels safe and respected. https://t.co/TRX3Q7XJ6t
Ro Khanna Also Reacted To The Incident
Indian-American Congressman Ro Khanna also reacted to the incident, saying: “This kind of hate against Hindu Americans and vandalism is shocking and morally wrong.”
The Department of Justice should investigate these hate crimes, and those responsible must be fully held accountable under the law, Mr. Khanna said.
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