Hindu Temple Vandalised With Pro-Khalistan Graffiti In California, 2nd Incident In Two Weeks

A Hindu temple in California has been deformed with pro-Khaistan and anti-India slogans just two weeks after a similar act was carried out by culprits at another temple in the same area.

Hindu temple defaced in California. ( Image Source :X | @HinduAmerican )

A Hindu temple has been defaced with pro-Khalistan slogans in California, United States days after a Swaminarayan Temple was vandalised similarly in the area. Hindu American Foundation took to X, formerly Twitter, and said the Vijay’s Sherawali Temple in Hayward sustained a copycat defacement "just two weeks after the Swaminarayan Mandir attack and one week after a theft at the Shiv Durga temple in the same area."

"Another Bay Area Hindu temple attacked with pro-#Khalistan graffiti. The Vijay’s Sherawali Temple in Hayward, CA sustained a copycat defacement just two weeks after the Swaminarayan Mandir attack and one week after a theft at the Shiv Durga temple in the same area. HAF is in touch with temple leaders and in contact with @AlamedaPD & @CivilRights," it said in the post.

"We are once again encouraging all temple leaders to download the @HinduAmerican temple safety guide https://hinduamerican.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/HAF-Temple-Safety-Secuirty-Guide.pdf The guide specifically discusses that temple graffiti qualifies as a hate crime and also the importance of installing working security cameras and alarm systems in view of the rising threat from #Khalistan proponents as well as the omnipresent risk from anti-Hindu actors," it further added.

The Consulate General of India in San Franciso had condemned the defacing of the Swaminarayn temple and said it hurt the sentiments of the Indian community.

"We strongly condemn the defacing of SMVS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir at Newark, California with anti-India graffiti. This incident has hurt the sentiments of the Indian community. We have pressed for quick investigation and prompt action against the vandals by the US authorities in this matter. @IndianEmbassyUS @MEAIndia @PIB_India," it added in a post on X.

This is not the first instance when a Hindu temple has been targetted by Khalistani extremists abroad. Similar cases have taken place in Australia and Canada as well the Government of India has raised on various diplomatic platforms on various occasions.