Key Points:
- Temple Vandalism: The BAPS Hindu Temple in Chino Hills, California, was vandalized with anti-India and anti-Hindu graffiti.
- Timing and Context: The incident occurred days before a planned ‘Khalistan referendum’ in Los Angeles.
- Community Response: The Hindu community has condemned the act, emphasizing resilience against hate.
- Pattern of Attacks: This is part of a series of attacks on Hindu temples in the US since 2022.
New Delhi: In a disturbing incident, the BAPS Hindu Temple in Chino Hills, California, was targeted by vandals who defaced its walls with objectionable messages. These acts of vandalism, which included anti-India and anti-Hindu graffiti, have been linked to Khalistan supporters in the United States. The timing of the incident is particularly noteworthy, as it occurred just days before a planned ‘Khalistan referendum’ in Los Angeles, which has sparked outrage and concern within the Hindu community.
Community Response and Resilience
BAPS Public Affairs shared details of the incident on the social media platform X, emphasizing the community’s resolve against hate. In their statement, BAPS underscored that the Hindu community stands united and will not allow hatred to flourish. They highlighted the importance of shared humanity and faith in maintaining peace and compassion. The Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA) also condemned the incident, criticizing the lack of recognition of anti-Hindu hate crimes by media and academics.
Lack of Police Response
Despite the severity of the incident, there has been no official response from the Chino Hills Police Department. This lack of action has raised concerns within the community about the handling of hate crimes.
Pattern of Attacks on Hindu Temples
This is not an isolated incident; CoHNA has documented numerous attacks on Hindu temples in the United States since 2022. For instance, the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Sacramento, California, was vandalized in September 2022, just days after a similar incident at a BAPS temple in New York. These attacks often involve derogatory graffiti, such as “Hindus go back,” which have alarmed the local Hindu community. CoHNA has called for a thorough investigation into these incidents, highlighting the need for greater awareness and action against anti-Hindu hate crimes.
Call for Investigation and Awareness
CoHNA has emphasized the importance of recognizing and addressing anti-Hindu hate crimes, which they believe are often downplayed or ignored. The organization has listed over 10 such incidents since 2022 and is advocating for increased awareness and legal action to protect Hindu places of worship in North America.
