Consulate General of India denounces vandalism at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Sacramento.

California September 27:
Following the vandalism incident at Sacramento, California's BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir on the evening of September 24, the San Francisco Consulate General of India has asked the local authorities to apprehend the culprits.

It was announced on X by the Consulate that "@cgisfo has taken up the matter with local authorities to take immediate action against those responsible." This is the second vandalism incident targeting Hindu temples in the US in the span of ten days, and it represents a disturbing increase in the frequency and severity of such attacks.

On the evening of September 25, less than a week after a comparable incident occurred at the BAPS Mandir in New York, the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in the Sacramento region of California was vandalized with anti-Hindu graffiti.

Concerned members of the local Hindu community took action in reaction to the comments, which included the phrase "Hindus go back," by pledging to stand united against hatred.

"Less than 10 days after the desecration of the BAPS Mandir in New York, our Mandir in the Sacramento, CA region was desecrated last night with anti-Hindu hate: "Hindus go back!" To combat hatred and promote peace, we stand together, as stated in a post by the BAPS Public Affairs on X.

At the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Mather, close to Rancho Cordova, deputies from the Sacramento County Sheriff's Office were called to the scene when the graffiti was found, as reported by the agency. According to the deputies, the property's water lines were also cut by the vandals.

"There is no place for religious bigotry and hatred in #SacramentoCounty," said Ami Bera, a US House of Representatives representative for CA06 and Sacramento County, in response to the damage, her post read. Whatever this is, I despise it as an act of vandalism in our neighborhood. No one can tolerate bigotry or discrimination; we must all work to make our town a welcoming place for people of all faiths.

The Hindu American Foundation expressed gratitude to Beri for bringing attention to the hate crime that targeted a Hindu temple. The foundation works to promote human dignity, mutual tolerance, and pluralism.

"I appreciate it, @RepBera. An anti-Hindu hate crime targeting a Hindu temple with messages equating Hindus with the Govt of India and asking Hindus to 'go home' was uploaded on X by the Hindu American Foundation. This followed a comparable act of vandalism that occurred on September 17, 2024, at the BAPS Swaminarayan Temple in New York.