In a recent disturbing incident in Sacramento, California, the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir was vandalized with anti-Hindu messages, marking the second attack of its kind in the United States within just ten days. The graffiti included hateful phrases such as “Hindus go back,” raising concerns about the growing trend of Hinduphobia in the country. This comes shortly after a similar act of vandalism at a BAPS temple in Melville, New York, where the temple was desecrated with expletives.
Authorities in Sacramento are investigating the incident as a hate crime, and the Sacramento Sheriff’s Office has already dispatched detectives and crime scene investigators to the site. The act has drawn condemnation from community leaders and lawmakers, including Indian-American Congressman Ami Bera, who emphasized that such acts of religious bigotry have no place in society. Hindu organizations have rallied for peace, urging stronger measures against rising anti-Hindu sentiments in the U.S.
This rise in Hinduphobia, a term used to describe prejudice or hatred against Hindus, is a growing concern in the U.S. as multiple temples have faced vandalism and other forms of hate crimes in recent years. The BAPS Public Affairsorganization, which represents the temple, has called for unity and peace in the face of such attacks(
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