Ayodhya Priests Condemn Vandalism of Hindu Temples in California

Priests from Ayodhya condemned recent vandalism of the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Temple in Sacramento, marking the second such attack in 10 days. They called for immediate action by the Indian government and urged cooperation with the U.S. to ensure the safety of Hindu temples globally.

Priests in Ayodhya have strongly condemned the vandalism of the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Temple in Sacramento, California, marking the second such attack on a BAPS temple in the past 10 days. They urged the Indian government to take immediate action in response to these incidents.

Diwakaracharya of the Lila Bihari Temple in Ayodhya voiced deep concern over the increasing attacks on Hindu temples worldwide. He highlighted that the recent vandalism in Sacramento is being investigated as a hate crime by local police. "It is extremely worrying how Hindu temples are being targeted. The Indian government needs to analyse how Hindus and their temples are becoming unsafe worldwide," Diwakaracharya remarked.

Diwakaracharya attributed the deteriorating situation to certain individuals of Indian origin involved in anti-India activities abroad, which he said weakens India's global image. He called on the Indian government to engage with the U.S. government to ensure the safety of Hindus and their places of worship globally.

"The government should ensure that Hindus and Hindu temples are safe all over the world. India bears the responsibility as the birthplace of Hindus if they are harassed globally," he added. The priest also urged the California state government to safeguard its citizens and religious establishments, especially Hindu temples, from such attacks. "The miserable condition and second-class treatment of Hindus in California will not be accepted," he said.

Mahant Avdhesh Das, Treasurer of the Saint Shri Tulsidas Ramlila Committee in Ayodhya, expressed concern over internal divisions within the Hindu community. He said, "Some of our Jaichands (traitors) born within the Hindu society talk nonsense to earn their political bread, and as a result, we are being attacked in foreign countries as well. We are trying to strengthen the Hindu society to prevent such attacks, both domestically and abroad."

The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Sacramento was vandalised on the night of September 25, only days after a similar incident at the BAPS Mandir in New York. Graffiti with anti-Hindu messages such as "Hindus go back" alarmed the local Hindu community. In response, the community vowed to stand united against hate. The BAPS Public Affairs team stated on X (formerly Twitter), "We stand united against hate with prayers for peace."

The Sacramento County Sheriff's Office confirmed the vandalism and noted that vandals had also cut water lines at the property. Ami Bera, U.S. Representative for California's 6th District, condemned the act, stating, "There is no place for religious bigotry and hatred in Sacramento County." The Hindu American Foundation thanked Bera for addressing the hate crime, calling it "an anti-Hindu hate crime."

(With inputs from agencies.)