A BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, one of the largest Hindu temples in Chino Hills, California, was vandalised with “anti-India” graffiti on Sunday.
BAPS’ official US social media page shared details of the incident on X, vowing that they would “never let hate take root” and that peace and compassion would prevail.
“In the face of another Mandir desecration, this time in Chino Hills, CA, the Hindu community stands steadfast against hate. Together with the community in Chino Hills and Southern California, we will never let hate take root. Our common humanity and faith will ensure that peace and compassion prevail,” BAPS Public Affairs posted on X.
As of now, the Chino Hills Police Department has not released an official statement on the incident.
The Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA) also condemned the vandalism, linking it to the upcoming “so-called Khalistan referendum” in Los Angeles. The temple was defaced with ‘anti-Hindu’ slogans, including phrases like “Hindus go back,” causing distress among the local Hindu community.
“Another Hindu temple vandalised — this time the iconic BAPS temple in Chino Hills, CA. It’s just another day in a world where media and academics insist there is no anti-Hindu hate and that #Hinduphobia is just a construct of our imagination. Not surprising this happens as the day for a so-called ‘Khalistan referendum’ in LA draws close,” CoHNA posted on X.
The group also listed past incidents of temple vandalism since 2022 and called for a thorough investigation.
CoHNA, a grassroots advocacy organisation, works to improve awareness of Hinduism in North America and address issues affecting the Hindu community.
Similar incidents were reported last year, including the vandalism of the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Sacramento on September 25, just days after another attack on a BAPS temple in New York.
