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Hindu temple vandalized in California in apparent hate crime
Graffiti containing expletives and ‘anti-Hindu’ messages, along with references to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Graffiti containing expletives. / Hindu American Foundation
A Hindu temple in Mather, California, was desecrated on Sep.25 morning in what authorities are investigating as a possible hate crime. The Sacramento County Sheriff's Office responded to the Swaminarayan Mandir temple on Armstrong Avenue after receiving reports of vandalism that left the local Hindu and South Asian communities shaken.
Graffiti containing expletives and ‘anti-Hindu’ messages, along with references to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, were found scrawled across marquees and the ground near the entrance of the temple’s parking lot. Deputies also discovered that pipes supplying water to a nearby building had been cut. Authorities are actively searching for those responsible for the attack.
This incident comes just days after another Hindu temple was similarly vandalized in Melville, New York. In both cases, the perpetrators appeared to scapegoat Hindu Americans for the politics of the Indian government.
“This is no isolated incident,” read a statement from Stop AAPI Hate on X, a coalition advocating against Asian American and Pacific Islander discrimination. “When everyday people are unfairly held accountable for the actions of a foreign government, it fuels the fires of racism and religious prejudice. We send our condolences to the Hindu American community and join calls for an investigation into both acts of anti-Asian scapegoating.”
The Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA) also condemned the repeated attacks, expressing deep concern over the growing trend of Hinduphobia in the U.S. "Another week, another attack on a #HinduTemple in the U.S. Even before the dust could settle from the attack in #NewYork, we see the same forces strike in Sacramento, #California," CoHNA said in a statement.
The organization emphasized that the lack of accountability for these acts is contributing to an exponential rise in anti-Hindu sentiment. “Hinduphobia is growing exponentially in the U.S., primarily because despite repeated and frequent provocations, no culprits have been caught. Sadly, our lawmakers have not focused on driving attention and solving this problem.”
CoHNA’s statement also pointed to the broader issue of religious freedom for minority communities in America. “What does #FreedomofReligion mean for minority #HinduAmericans in this context, when our sacred spaces that should be sanctuaries for solace are violated with impunity?”
The Hindu American Foundation (HAF) echoed similar sentiments, expressing their dismay over the rising number of attacks on temples in the U.S. "It is unacceptable that Hindu temples are being targeted to air hatred against Indian and Hindu American communities," the group said in a statement.
Local leaders were quick to denounce the vandalism. U.S. Rep. Ami Bera, who represents California’s 7th Congressional District, took to social media to condemn the incident. “There is no place for religious bigotry and hatred in #SacramentoCounty. I strongly condemn this apparent act of vandalism in our community. All of us must stand against intolerance and ensure that everyone in our community, regardless of faith, feels safe and respected.”
As the investigation continues, both the Hindu American community and civil rights organizations are calling for increased attention to the growing wave of religious and racial intolerance targeting Asian and South Asian Americans.
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