A BAPS’ Swaminarayan temple, in Chino Hills, California, was defaced with hate-filled graffiti, sparking outrage within the Indian community. The incident, which took place at the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, involved spray-painted messages including “Hindustan Murdabad” and expletives targeting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The vandalism was discovered on Sunday morning by temple authorities. Images of the defaced walls quickly circulated on social media, drawing condemnation from Indian and Hindu organisations worldwide. The Indian consulate in San Francisco expressed deep concern, urging US authorities to take strict action against those responsible.
The US Hindu community has demanded increased security for places of worship, citing a rise in such incidents in recent years.
Local police have launched an investigation into the act, treating it as a hate crime. Authorities are reviewing security footage to identify the culprits. The temple management has been cooperating with law enforcement to assess damage and ensure safety for devotees.
The US State Department has not yet commented on the attack, but political analysts believe such incidents could strain diplomatic relations between India and the US.
This is not the first time a Hindu temple in the US has been targeted. Similar incidents have been reported in Canada, Australia, and the UK, where temples have been defaced with anti-India and pro-Khalistan slogans.
Hindu groups have urged the US government to take decisive action to prevent further attacks and ensure religious tolerance. Meanwhile, temple authorities have begun efforts to remove the graffiti and restore the sacred space.
The incident has reignited debates on religious intolerance and the safety of Indian communities abroad. Indian authorities are closely monitoring developments and have called for swift justice.
Leaders from various Hindu organisations have condemned the attack and called for stronger security measures at religious sites. Social media has been flooded with messages of support for the temple, with users demanding accountability from US authorities.
The attack underscores the growing concern over hate crimes against religious minorities and the need for greater vigilance to protect cultural and religious heritage worldwide.
