India condemns vandalism at Hindu temple in US,calls for strict action

India has condemned the vandalism at a Hindu temple in US' California and called upon law enforcement authorities to take strict action against those responsible. Terming such acts "despicable", Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal has said local authorities should ensure adequate security to places of worship.Responding to media queries regarding vandalism at a Hindu Temple in California, Jaiswal said in a statement, “We have seen reports regarding the vandalism at a Hindu temple in Chino Hills, California. We condemn such despicable acts in the strongest terms. We call upon the local law enforcement authorities to take stringent action against those responsible for these acts, and also ensure adequate security to places of worship.”
The Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) Hindu Temple in Chino Hills, California, was found desecrated, sparking widespread condemnation. The official page of BAPS for the US shared the details of the incident on the social media platform X, saying that they will “never let hate take root” and that peace and compassion shall prevail. In the X post, BAPS Public Affairs wrote, “In the face of another Mandir desecration, this time in Chino Hills, CA, the Hindu community stand 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.”
The Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA) also shared details of the incident on X and said the desecration of the iconic BAPS Temple in California comes ahead of the “so called Khalistan referendum” in Los Angeles. The ‘anti-Hindu’ messages included phrases such as ‘Hindus go back,’ alarming the local Hindu community. In response, the community expressed its commitment to stand united. “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 will 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.” The post listed other recent cases of vandalism of temples from 2022 onward and gave a call for investigation into the matter. The latest incident occurred less than 10 days after a similar incident at the BAPS Mandir in New York.
Meanwhile, the Hindu American Foundation shared images of the defacement on X and called on FBI chief Kash Patel, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard and the Chino Hills Police Department to "investigate this latest in a string of anti-Hindu hate crimes on our sacred spaces". The Consulate General of India in New York strongly condemned the incident and raised the matter with US authorities.
Anti-Hindu hate crimes in California have become the second-most reported form of religious bias, a report by the California Civil Rights Department (CRD) released in May last year said. According to the report, among religiously motivated incidents, anti-Hindu bias ranked second, constituting 23.3 per cent. Anti-Jewish bias or anti-semitism was the highest at around 37 per cent. Anti-Muslim hate crimes rank third, comprising 14.6 per cent of religious bias incidents.The Congress also condemned the vandalization of a Hindu temple in United States' California and said such acts of hatred and intolerance were utterly unacceptable.