Washington: Hindu temples in the United States are facing alarming incidents of targeted attacks. Recently, a Hindu temple in Sacramento County, California, became a victim of vandalism, drawing significant concern from local authorities. On Wednesday, the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Temple, located on Armstrong Avenue in the Rancho Cordova area, was defaced with derogatory slogans, including one that read "Hindus go back." The temple is situated just north of the Sacramento International Airport. In addition to the offensive writings on signs posted outside, the attackers reportedly damaged a water line connected to the temple. The investigation into this hate crime is being led by the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department. Sergeant Amar Gandhi assured the community that dedicated teams are working on this case. He stated, "Our gang unit detectives are handling all hate crime investigations. This is not something that will be overlooked or forgotten. Whoever committed this act will face justice." The attack coincided with a recent visit by Prime Minister Modi to the United States, raising concerns about the motives behind such incidents. Historically, there have been previous attacks on Hindu temples in the U.S. and Canada, often linked to supporters of the Khalistan movement.

Community Response

In response to the attack, a prayer meeting was organized at the temple on Wednesday, attended by elected officials, law enforcement, and community members, emphasizing solidarity against hate. Deputy Mayor of Rancho Cordova, Siri Pulipati, voiced her condemnation of the act, stating, "There is no place for this hate in our city. We stand united against it." The temple released a statement expressing their grief, noting that the attack occurred less than ten days after a similar incident in New York. U.S. Congressman Ro Khanna also expressed his outrage, describing such acts of hatred towards Hindu Americans as "abhorrent and morally wrong." He called on the Department of Justice to thoroughly investigate these hate crimes and hold the perpetrators accountable under the law. The community's resilience in the face of such attacks highlights their commitment to promoting peace and unity, reinforcing the message that hate has no place in society.