On Sunday, the Ministry of External Affairs denounced the recent vandalism at the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, one of the biggest Hindu temples in southern California, calling it a “despicable act.”
On Sunday, the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Chino Hills, California, was defaced with anti-India graffiti, marking yet another similar occurrence in the US in recent months.
“We have seen reports regarding the vandalism at a Hindu temple in Chino Hills, California. We condemn such despicable acts in the strongest terms,” the MEA said in a statement.
It also urged law enforcement agencies to enforce strict measures against those accountable.
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The BAPS Public Affairs wing posted on X, revealing that the temple was vandalized in yet another act of hate towards the Hindu community. It stated that the community will never allow hate to take hold.
“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,” it said.
The Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA), a group dedicated to tackling matters impacting the Hindu community in North America, similarly denounced the vandalism event.
The Chino Hills Police Department has not provided any comments about the incident yet.
Interestingly, a BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Sacramento, California was vandalized in September of last year, featuring hate messages etched onto the temple’s sign.