The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in the Sacramento area of California was targeted by vandals on Wednesday night, with anti-Hindu messages scrawled on the temple walls. This incident marks the second such attack against a BAPS Mandir in less than 10 days. A similar act of vandalism took place at the BAPS Mandir in New York on September 17th.
The BAPS Public Affairs released a statement on X, condemning the act of hate and highlighting the recurring nature of these attacks: “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 organization also shared images of community leaders gathering for a prayer ceremony at the Sacramento Mandir following the desecration.
The Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that deputies responded to the BAPS Mandir in Mather, near Rancho Cordova, where they discovered the graffiti and evidence of vandals cutting the property’s water lines.
Local representatives, including Congressman Ami Bera, representing CA06 and Sacramento County in the US House of Representatives, have condemned the act, stating “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.”
The Hindu American Foundation also condemned the act, labeling it an anti-Hindu hate crime targeting a Hindu temple with messages conflating Hindus with the Government of India and telling Hindus to ‘go home.’ They thanked Congressman Bera for his swift condemnation of the incident.
This incident follows the desecration of the BAPS Swaminarayan Temple in Melville, New York on September 17th. The Consulate General of India in New York condemned the vandalism, labeling it “unacceptable.” Several US lawmakers also condemned the desecration and demanded accountability from the authorities.
The incident has sparked concern and outrage among the Hindu community and beyond. Authorities are investigating the acts of vandalism, and the community stands united in condemning these acts of hate and intolerance.
