On March 8, the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir was subjected to vandalism, raising significant alarm regarding the increasing prevalence of anti-Hindu sentiment and hate crimes. In response to the discovery of the graffiti, BAPS released a statement affirming the resilience of the Hindu community against such acts of hatred. The statement emphasized that the community in Chino Hills and Southern California would unite to combat hate, asserting that their shared humanity and faith would foster an environment of peace and compassion. This incident marks the third act of vandalism against a BAPS temple, following the defacement of the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Sacramento, California, on September 25 of the previous year, shortly after another BAPS temple in New York was also attacked. As this situation develops, authorities have yet to provide additional information regarding the investigation into the incident in Chino Hills.
The Coalition of Hindus of North America has highlighted a disturbing trend of temple vandalism in recent years, citing multiple incidents, including those at Shri Tulsi Mandir in Queens, New York, and various temples across California, indicating a broader issue that requires urgent attention and action.CoHNA has associated the vandalism in Chino Hills with political and separatist issues, remarking, “It is not surprising that such incidents occur as the date for a so-called ‘Khalistan referendum’ in Los Angeles approaches.” The organization further highlighted its concerns regarding the increasing prevalence of anti-Hindu sentiment, stating, “This recent attack serves as further evidence of the escalating anti-Hindu animosity. We have all witnessed a surge in online hate over the past few years, and as researchers have cautioned, such online hostility often translates into real-world violence against the affected communities.”The Hindu American Foundation (HAF) has also denounced the vandalism, disseminating images of the incident and calling for a comprehensive investigation. The organization has urged law enforcement to take firm action against those responsible and to ensure that places of worship are safeguarded for all communities.
