(Image Credit: IMAGN) Robbinsville, NJ -- August 2, 2024 -- Visitors come to pray to the statue of Nilkanth Varni, who became known as Bhagwan Swaminarayan, the spiritual leader of a denomination called Swaminarayan Sampradaya. Completed and encouraging visitors of all faiths to tour its artistic detail carved in marble, BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham, in Mercer County, is the largest Hindu temple on this side of the world.
Chino Hills, California – The recent desecration of the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Chino Hills, California, has sent shockwaves through the South Asian community, raising concerns about escalating hate crimes targeting Hindu places of worship. On March 8th, devotees arriving at the temple discovered graffiti containing anti-Hindu and anti-Indian government messages, including “Hindustan Murdabad,” and expletive-laden slurs against Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Mehul Patel, a temple volunteer, described the incident as instilling “a sense of fear” within the community. The vandalism, now being investigated as a hate crime by the San Bernardino Sheriff’s officials, has garnered international attention, with India’s External Affairs ministry condemning the “despicable acts” and calling for stringent action against the perpetrators.
The Chino Hills temple, a significant landmark in Southern California, attracts nearly 1,000 visitors daily and thousands during festivals. The incident has prompted concerns about security, particularly for families with young children. This desecration is not an isolated event. Similar acts of vandalism have targeted other BAPS temples in Melville, New York; near Sacramento, California; and Newark, California, in recent months.
A common thread in these incidents appears to be the denigration of Prime Minister Modi, reflecting the heightened tensions surrounding Hindu nationalism in India. Other Hindu temples, such as the Vijay’s Sherawali Temple in Hayward, California, have also been targeted with anti-Modi and pro-Khalistan graffiti. Khalistan is a separatist movement advocating for a sovereign Sikh state in the Indian state of Punjab.
These acts of vandalism have occurred against a backdrop of escalating tensions between India and Canada, following allegations of Indian government involvement in the assassination of Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Additionally, the U.S. Department of Justice has revealed a plot by an Indian government official to assassinate Sikh separatist leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun.
The Coalition of Hindus of North America has raised the possibility of a connection between the temple vandalism and the upcoming Khalistan referendum in Los Angeles. However, other South Asian groups, such as the Savera Coalition, have cautioned against jumping to conclusions and scapegoating other minority communities.
Prachi Patankar, a board member of the Savera Coalition, emphasized the importance of avoiding assumptions that could further divide communities. “Such incidents should never be used to scapegoat other minority religious communities such as the Sikh community, because it can lead to further criminalization or repression of the entire community,” she stated.
Mehul Patel stressed the importance of recognizing the diversity within the Hindu community and the temple’s role as a place of worship for people of various backgrounds. He expressed hope that surveillance video footage will aid in the apprehension of the suspects.
Following the incident, temple members gathered for a prayer service, chanting the “Shanthi Path,” a blessing for peace. “We prayed not just for our community, but also for the perpetrators,” Patel said, emphasizing the importance of peaceful expression over hateful acts. The community seeks to address the root causes of these attacks and foster an environment of interfaith understanding and respect.
