BAPS prayer for peace after Shri Swaminarayan temple was desecrated with anti-Hindu messages on the night time of September 25. | Photograph credit score: X/@BAPS_PubAffairs
The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan temple within the Sacramento, California space was desecrated with anti-Hindu messages on the night of September 25, lower than 10 days after an identical act of vandalism occurred on the BAPS temple in New York.
The messages included phrases corresponding to “Hindus, come again,” which raised considerations among the many native Hindu group and in response, the group expressed its dedication to face united towards hate.
“Lower than 10 days after the desecration of the BAPS Mandir in New York, our Mandir within the Sacramento, California space was desecrated final night time with anti-Hindu hate: “Hindus, return!” We stand united towards hate with prayers for peace,” BAPS Public Affairs mentioned in a publish on X.
In response to the vandalism, a peace prayer ceremony was organized, attended by California State Assemblymember Stephanie Nguyen, Elk Grove Mayor Bobbie Singh-Allen, Metropolis of Rancho Cordova Vice Mayor Siri Pulipati, Metropolis of Rancho Cordova Police Chief Matthew Tamayo, Sacramento County Sheriff’s Workplace Public Info Officer Amar Gandhi, Metropolis of Ranchova Deputy Metropolis Supervisor David Kwong, Sacramento District Lawyer’s Workplace Neighborhood Prosecutor Rochelle Beardsley, in line with their web site.
In response to the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Workplace, sheriff’s deputies responded to the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Mather, close to Rancho Cordova, the place the graffiti was found. Deputies additionally mentioned the vandals had additionally minimize water traces on the property.
The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Temple in Sacramento is residence to a vibrant Hindu group that’s concerned in quite a few actions and initiatives to assist the broader group. We’re and can proceed to be an integral a part of the material of this group, BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha said on its web site.
In response to the vandalism, Ami Bera, who represents CA06 and Sacramento County within the U.S. Home of Representatives, posted on X: “There isn’t any place for bigotry and spiritual hatred in Sacramento County. I strongly condemn this obvious act of vandalism in our group. We should all stand towards bigotry and make sure that all members of our group, no matter religion, really feel protected and revered.
“The Hindu American Basis, which promotes human dignity, mutual respect, and pluralism, thanked Beri for elevating the difficulty of the hate crime towards a Hindu temple. “Thanks @RepBera. This vandalism is a hate crime towards Hindus focusing on a Hindu temple with messages that confuse Hindus with the Authorities of India and inform Hindus to ‘go residence,'” the Hindu American Basis posted on X.
Previous to this, an identical incident of vandalism occurred on the BAPS Swaminarayan Temple in New York on 17 September 2024. The Consulate Common of India in New York had additionally condemned the vandalism of the BAPS Swaminarayan Temple in Melville, New York, calling it “unacceptable”. A number of US lawmakers additionally condemned the desecration of the BAPS Swaminarayan Temple in New York and demanded accountability from the authorities.
(With contributions from ANI)
Printed – September 26, 2024 09:49 am IST
