Swami Chakrapani Maharaj, the President of Hindu Mahasabha, condemned the vandalism of the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in California, marking the second attack on a BAPS Mandir in the United States in less than ten days.
Expressing his concern over what he called the growing persecution of Hindus worldwide, Chakrapani said, “Look at the second incident in 10 days. From America to the whole world, Hindus are being persecuted, harassed, and Mandirs are being demolished.” He referred to a recent survey by an American company that claimed minorities are receiving justice in India while Hindus are facing persecution in the US. He asserted, “America should look into this.”
Chakrapani highlighted the increase in violence against Hindus in the US, citing a recent incident in which a Hindu priest was shot in public. He criticised the lack of action by American authorities, stating, “America does not take any action on it.”
Pointing to the ongoing persecution of Hindus in Bangladesh, he added, “When our people protested against Bangladesh with the Hindu Mahasabha, FIRs were filed against them.” Chakrapani called for the Indian Government to be more vigilant and proactive in addressing these issues.
He also urged the Government to raise the issue of Hindu persecution on international platforms, adding, “Whenever such atrocities happen to Hindus in foreign countries, especially to Mandirs, no comment is made.”
The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Sacramento, California, was vandalised on the night of September 25, less than ten days after a similar incident at the BAPS Mandir in New York. The anti-Hindu messages included phrases such as ‘Hindus go back,’ alarming the local Hindu community. In response, the community expressed its commitment to standing united against hate. “Less than 10 days after the desecration of the BAPS Mandir in New York, our Mandir in the Sacramento, CA area was desecrated last night with anti-Hindu hate: ‘Hindus go back!’ We stand united against hate with prayers for peace,” the BAPS Public Affairs stated on X.
Less than 10 days after the desecration of the @BAPS Mandir in New York, our Mandir in the Sacramento, CA area was desecrated last night with anti-Hindu hate: “Hindus go back!” We stand united against hate with prayers for peace.
— BAPS Public Affairs (@BAPS_PubAffairs) September 25, 2024
According to the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to the Mandir’s plea for help and discovered the graffiti. They also noted that vandals had cut water lines on the property.
Ami Bera, the US Representative for California’s 6th District, condemned the vandalism, stating, “There is no place for religious bigotry and hatred in Sacramento County.” The Hindu American Foundation thanked Bera for addressing the hate crime targeting the Mandir, stating, “This vandalism is an anti-Hindu hate crime.”
On September 17, another incident of vandalism occurred at the BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir in New York. The Consulate General of India in New York condemned that incident as “unacceptable,” and several US lawmakers demanded accountability from authorities regarding the repeated acts of hate and violence.
(with inputs from ANI)
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