India Condemns Vandalism of Hindu Temple in California, Demands Action

India condemned the vandalism of a Hindu temple in California and urged strict action. Hindu organisations linked the act to rising religious tensions and demanded security measures. The incident follows previous attacks on temples, raising concerns over religious hate crimes in the region.

India has strongly condemned the vandalism of the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Chino Hills, California, after it was defaced with anti-India messages. The incident has sparked widespread outrage, with Hindu organisations calling for a thorough investigation. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) urged local law enforcement to take stringent action and ensure better security for places of worship.

The Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) organisation denounced the attack, stating on social media that the Hindu community will not allow hate to take root and will continue to promote peace and compassion. The Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA) also condemned the desecration, linking it to increasing religious tensions ahead of a scheduled ‘Khalistan referendum’ event in Los Angeles. The group has highlighted similar attacks on Hindu temples since 2022 and demanded action to prevent such hate crimes.

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The Consulate General of India in New York reiterated its disapproval of the repeated attacks, recalling previous incidents where BAPS temples in Sacramento and Melville were targeted with hateful graffiti. These events have caused distress among the local Hindu community, leading to calls for increased protection and accountability.

With tensions rising, community leaders are urging authorities to investigate the motives behind such acts and ensure the safety of Hindu places of worship.