BAPS temple in Chino Hills, CA vandalized. / CoHNA/Twitter

On March 9, the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Chino Hills, California, fell victim to vandalism, with graffiti defacing the temple premises. This attack is the latest in the disturbing rise in attacks on Hindu temples, ranging from vandalism to arson and hate graffiti, reflecting a growing challenge of religious intolerance and bigotry.

Last year, in January alone, a series of attacks occurred in California on Shiv Durga Temple (Santa Clara), Shree Ashta Lakshmi Temple (Fremont), Vijay’s Sherawali Temple (Hayward), and Sri Panchamukha Hanuman Temple (Dublin). More attacks followed, including the September incidents at the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Melville, NY, and the BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir in Sacramento, CA, among others.

Hindu communities across the country have been deeply shaken by these incidents which are often linked to rising religious polarization and xenophobia. Many Hindu Americans believe that deliberate misrepresentations by bad-faith actors in the public domain contribute to these attacks by fostering misconceptions about their faith. Given the worsening of acrimonious spewing in the political arena in 2025, Hindus are worried if the frequency of attacks will increase and spread to areas where Hindus are fewer in number.  

The targeting of Hindu temples bears striking similarities to past attacks on Jewish synagogues in the United States. The Jewish community has developed a robust and impressive resilience model to counteract these threats and safeguard their institutions. By examining their responses, Hindu organizations and community leaders can formulate effective strategies to protect temples, educate the public, and foster solidarity against religious persecution. These strategies include:

1. Strengthening Security Measures

Jewish synagogues have heavily invested in security infrastructure, including surveillance systems, reinforced doors, and private security personnel. Many synagogues also collaborate with law enforcement agencies to ensure rapid response in case of attacks. Hindu temples can adopt similar measures, working closely with local police departments, FBI and Homeland Security to implement effective security protocols. Training volunteers to handle emergency situations and organizing self-defense workshops can further enhance safety.

2. Community Vigilance and Rapid Response Networks

Jewish communities have established local and national networks that monitor hate crimes and provide rapid response mechanisms. Organizations such as the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) track incidents of antisemitism and work to address them through advocacy. Hindu groups can form a network to document and report hate crimes, ensuring that every attack on a temple is thoroughly investigated and legally addressed.

3. Legal Advocacy and Stronger Hate Crime Laws

The Jewish community has been instrumental in pushing for stronger hate crime legislation in the U.S. Laws protecting religious minorities have been significantly influenced by their efforts. Hindu organizations must actively engage in legal advocacy to ensure that hate crimes against Hindus are properly categorized and prosecuted under federal and state laws. Lobbying for greater legal protection can deter future attacks and hold perpetrators accountable.

4. Public Awareness and Media Engagement

Jewish groups have successfully used media platforms to highlight antisemitic incidents, educating the public on the gravity of such hate crimes. An attack anywhere in the United States prompts a massive public outpouring of support from Jewish communities nationwide, as well as their friends and co-workers.

Starting from the ground up, cities with multiple Hindu organizations should establish communication channels to coordinate responses locally, while also building regional and national networks for broader support. This will ensure that the story of any attack on a Hindu place of worship will be carried to national attention, and not be lost due to inattention by local media.

The Jews work with journalists, politicians, and educators to counter misinformation and promote awareness. It is important to regularly engage mainstream media in events of temple highlighting  the universal humanistic philosophy of Hinduism, and colorful inclusive festivals, so that when attacks occur on temple, the public and media personnel  already have a feeling of affinity for the temple, and what it represents, rather than an inert, or worse case hostile misconception. Hosting temple visits by local school children and religious/secular groups, interfaith dialogues, educational seminars, and cultural events can also foster understanding and counter bias.

5. Strengthening Interfaith and Community Alliances

One of the key strategies of the Jewish community has been building strong alliances with other religious and civic organizations. When synagogues are attacked, the outpouring of support from other religious, and secular groups reinforces communal solidarity. Hindu temples should build strong relationships with local centers of worship, and interfaith organizations. A united response to hate crimes sends a powerful message that such attacks are unacceptable in a diverse society. 

6. Correcting misinformation in school textbooks

Many biases get ingrained in childhood. For years, Hinduism has been misrepresented in many social studies textbooks, often emphasizing negative tropes, and misinterpretations,  while neglecting its rich philosophy, diversity, and contributions. In the state of California, Hindu Advocacy groups like the Hindu American Foundation and volunteers of Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh, USA, have worked extensively to correct these biases, ensuring accurate portrayals of dharma, yoga, and pluralism, fostering a fairer understanding of Hindu traditions in education. These efforts should be replicated in other states.
 
7. Hindu Youth Education, Empowerment and Cultural Advocacy Training

It is critical for every Hindu parent to inculcate into their children an incessant desire to actively learn about their rich Hindu heritage and share it with their non-Hindu friends and classmates. This will prevent and correct hateful misconceptions from taking root in young impressionable minds. By cultivating articulate, confident, and knowledgeable ambassadors, Hinduism will thrive in mainstream social and political discourse. 

The current rise in attacks on Hindu temples is a wake-up call for stronger community resilience and proactive measures. By learning from the Jewish community’s experiences, Hindu organizations can implement effective strategies to safeguard their persons and religious spaces. While law enforcement and legislative reforms are essential, community-driven efforts will play a crucial role in countering hate and ensuring the long-term security of Hindu Americans. By adopting proactive strategies similar to the Jewish community, the Hindu community can protect its temples and contribute to a stronger, more united America where religious freedom is upheld and respected.

 

The author is a retired radiologist and a Hindu spiritual care provider. 

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of  New India Abroad.