11 hours Ago By TOI News Desk
Representative image (Picture credit: ANI) NEW DELHI: The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) strongly condemned the recent vandalism of the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Chino Hills, California, calling for strict action from US authorities. The temple was defaced with anti-India graffiti by unidentified individuals, which led to the outrage of Hindu groups. VHP national spokesperson Vinod Bansal criticised the attack and said, “Such an incident has not happened for the first time, but it’s the first time after the Trump administration came into power.
We condemn such acts and demand strict actions from the US administration and the police there.” As per PTI, the temple, located in San Bernardino County near Los Angeles, was targeted in what many Hindu organisations are calling a hate crime. The Hindu American Foundation (HAF), a prominent advocacy group, urged the FBI to investigate, posting on X, “We ask @ChinoHills_PD, @FBI @FBIDirectorKash @DNIGabbard to investigate this latest in a string of anti-Hindu hate crimes on our sacred spaces.
” The incident has drawn sharp reactions from various Hindu groups, with the Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA) linking it to growing Hinduphobia in the West. CoHNA, which advocates for Hindu rights in North America, highlighted past cases of temple vandalism , stating on X, “Another Hindu Temple vandalized – 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.
” CoHNA further connected the attack to the upcoming Khalistan referendum in Los Angeles, claiming that such incidents have become more frequent in recent years. Similar cases were reported last year, including the desecration of the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Sacramento, California, in September, and a hate-driven attack on another BAPS temple in New York earlier. The Indian government also reacted to the incident, with the ministry of external affairs (MEA) issuing a statement on Sunday condemning the act.
“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,” said MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal.
The BAPS Public Affairs team also addressed the attack on social media, reaffirming the Hindu community’s resilience. “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,” the organisation posted on X..
