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New York, United States of America (USA)
Earlier, Indian-American lawmakers had condemned these attacks on Hindu temples.
A week after the BAPS Mandir in New York was desecrated, another Hindu temple in Sacramento was vandalised with anti-Hindu messages. The community has called for an action.
The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in California’s Sacramento city was vandalised with anti-Hindu messages on Wednesday night, less than 10 days after a similar act of desecration was reported at the BAPS temple in New York.
Among the disturbing messages found on the walls of the temple in Sacramento were ‘Hindus Go Back,’ triggering concerns among the local Hindu community. BAPS Public Affairs took to X and 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.”
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
‘No place for religious bigotry’
According to the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office, sheriff deputies responded to the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Mather, near Rancho Cordova, where the graffiti was discovered. Deputies also said that vandals had also cut water lines at the property.
Responding to the vandalism, Ami Bera, representing Sacramento County in the US House of Representatives posted on X, “There is no place for religious bigotry and hatred in #SacramentoCounty. I strongly condemn this apparent act of vandalism in our community. All of us must stand against intolerance and ensure that everyone in our community, regardless of faith, feels safe and respected.”
Indian-American lawmaker Rohit Khanna said, “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.”
‘Immediate action’
Another Indian-American lawmaker Shri Thanedar condemned the incident and said that immediate action is needed from the US federal government. “BAPS Hindu temple in Sacramento, CA was vandalised overnight with anti Hindu slogans. Immediate action is need from the DOJ. The people responsible for such hate be identified and prosecuted,” he said in a post on X.
BAPS Hindu temple in Sacramento, CA was vandalised overnight with anti Hindu slogans. Immediate action is need from the DOJ. The people responsible for such hate be identified and procecuted. https://t.co/O5Jpn4dUtF— Shri Thanedar (@ShriThanedar) September 25, 2024
Hindu American Foundation, promoting human dignity, mutual respect, and pluralism thanked Beri for raising the issue of hate crime targeting a Hindu temple. “Thank you @RepBera. This vandalism is an anti-Hindu hate crime targeting a Hindu temple with messages conflating Hindus with the Govt of India and telling Hindus to ‘go home’,” posted Hindu American Foundation on X.
The earlier incident, at the BAPS Swaminarayan Temple in New York, happened on September 17, drawing condemnation from the Consulate General of India in New York.
Several US lawmakers had also condemned the incident and called for swift action against the vandals.
Read More: ‘Hindus Go Back’: BAPS Temple In Sacramento Vandalised Week After New York Desecration – New
