Hate graffiti at US temple, second incident in 10 days
Unidentified miscreants have vandalised the BAPS Hindu temple in California’s Sacramento, desecrating it with expletive-laden graffiti saying “Hindus go back!”, the BAPS Public Affairs said.
“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,” the BAPS Public Affairs said in a post on X.
Wednesday night’s incident comes after the desecration of the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Melville, New York, on September 17. “Our condemnation of hate remains resolute; our sadness has only deepened; and our prayers for all, including those with hate in their heart, have grown stronger,” the organisation said in a statement.
“BAPS is working with law enforcement authorities on this hate crime,” the statement said. This was the second incident of desecration at a BAPS temple in less than a month in the US amidst the growing trend of temple vandalism as part of a systematic hate crime against the Hindu community in the country.
“This type of hate against Hindu Americans and vandalism is appalling and morally wrong. The Department of Justice must investigate these hate crimes, and those responsible should be held fully accountable under the law,” Congressman Ro Khanna said on X.
Indian-American entrepreneur Ajay Jain Bhutoria urged the FBI to investigate and hold accountable those spreading hate and fear.
