BAPS Hindu Temple in Southern California Vandalised, MEA Condemns Act 'in Strongest Terms'
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New Delhi: A Hindu temple located in Chino Hills, California, was vandalised on Saturday (March 8) with discretionary messages. The incident reportedly happened days ahead of a ‘Khalistani referendum’.
Discretionary messages were written at the entrance gate and boundary walls.
The official page of BAPS Public Affairs wrote in a post on X, “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 BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir is one of the largest Hindu temples in Southern California. Chino Hills police department are yet to issue a statement.
The Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA), a Hindu far-right organisation in the United States, also posted on X saying the incident happened as “a so called 'Khalistan referendum' in LA draws close”.
The Ministry of External Affairs, in an official statement, condemned the incident and sought action against those responsible for the vandalism.
"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 MEA said.
The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir was vandalised on September 25 last year as well when an anti-Hindu graffiti was sprayed on its walls.
Earlier, on September 16, the road and the signage outside the BAPS Swaminarayan Temple in Melville, New York, was sprayed with expletives, days before Prime Minister Narendra Modi was to address a diaspora event at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, just 28 kilometres away.
The Indian Consulate in New York had condemned the incident calling the act "unacceptable".
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