The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir within the Sacramento space of California was on Wednesday desecrated with anti-Hindu messages. That is the second such incident in america in lower than 10 days. An identical act of vandalism passed off on the BAPS Mandir in New York. The messages included phrases akin to “Hindus return.”
The messages prompted issues among the many native Hindu group, and in response, the group expressed their dedication to standing united in opposition to hate. “Lower than 10 days after the desecration of the BAPS Mandir in New York, our Mandir within the Sacramento, CA space was desecrated final evening with anti-Hindu hate: “ndus return!” We stand united in opposition to hate with prayers for peace,” the BAPS Public Affairs mentioned in a publish in X.
Lower than 10 days after the desecration of the @BAPS Mandir in New York, our Mandir within the Sacramento, CA space was desecrated final evening with anti-Hindu hate: “Hindus return!” We stand united in opposition to hate with prayers for peace.
— BAPS Public Affairs (@BAPS_PubAffairs) September 25, 2024
In line with the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Workplace, sheriff deputies responded to the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Mather, close to Rancho Cordova, the place the graffiti was found. Deputies additionally mentioned that vandals had additionally reduce water strains on the property.
Responding to the vandalism, Ami Bera, representing CA06 and Sacramento County within the US Home of Representatives, posted on X, “There isn’t a place for non secular bigotry and hatred in #SacramentoCounty. I strongly condemn this obvious act of vandalism in our group. All of us should stand in opposition to intolerance and be sure that everybody in our group, no matter religion, feels secure and revered.”
There isn’t a place for non secular bigotry and hatred in #SacramentoCounty. I strongly condemn this obvious act of vandalism in our group.
All of us should stand in opposition to intolerance and be sure that everybody in our group, no matter religion, feels secure and revered. https://t.co/TRX3Q7XJ6t
— Ami Bera, M.D. (@RepBera) September 25, 2024
The Hindu American Basis, selling human dignity, mutual respect, and pluralism, thanked Beri for elevating the problem of hate crime focusing on a Hindu temple.
“Thanks @RepBera. This vandalism is an anti-Hindu hate crime focusing on a Hindu temple with messages conflating Hindus with the Govt of India and telling Hindus to ‘go dwelling’,” posted Hindu American Basis on X.
After the incident got here to mild, leaders of the Hindu group gathered on the temple in Sacramento for a prayer ceremony calling for “peace and unity”.
There isn’t a place for non secular bigotry and hatred in #SacramentoCounty. I strongly condemn this obvious act of vandalism in our group.
All of us should stand in opposition to intolerance and be sure that everybody in our group, no matter religion, feels secure and revered. https://t.co/TRX3Q7XJ6t
— Ami Bera, M.D. (@RepBera) September 25, 2024
Earlier, an analogous incident of vandalism passed off on the BAPS Swaminarayan Temple in New York on September 17, 2024.
The Consulate Basic of India in New York had additionally condemned the vandalism of the BAPS Swaminarayan Temple in Melville, New York, labelling it “unacceptable.”
A number of US lawmakers additionally condemned the desecration of BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir in New York’s demanded accountability from the authorities. Congressmen additionally raised issues about repeated incidents of hate and violence within the nation. Indian-American Congressman Shri Thanedar strongly condemned the “hideous act” and pressured that such acts of “vandalism, bigotry, and hate” have to be absolutely investigated.
