A Hindu mandir in Chino Hills, California, was vandalised by Khalistani terrorists, marking yet another instance of anti-Hindu hate crimes perpetrated by separatist groups. The attack occurred just days before a so-called ‘Khalistan referendum’ event in Los Angeles, raising concerns about the rising trend of Hinduphobia and targeted assaults on Hindu places of worship in North America.
The Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) confirmed that the Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Chino Hills was desecrated with anti-Hindu and anti-Bharat graffiti, including hate-filled slogans such as “Hindus go back.” The vandalism has sent shockwaves through the Hindu community, which has been witnessing increasing attacks on their religious institutions across the United States and Canada.
Reacting strongly, the Bharatiya government condemned the attack as a “despicable act” and urged US authorities to take stringent measures against those responsible. Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal issued a statement saying:
“We have seen reports regarding the vandalism at a Hindu mandir in Chino Hills, California. We condemn such despicable acts in the strongest terms. We call upon the local law enforcement authorities to take stringent action against those responsible for these acts and also ensure adequate security to places of worship.”
Our response to media queries regarding vandalism at a Hindu Temple in California:
🔗 https://t.co/8H25kCdwhY pic.twitter.com/H59bYxq7qZ
— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) March 9, 2025
The Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA) also expressed outrage over the incident, highlighting the troubling pattern of Hindu mandir desecration ahead of Khalistani terrorist activities in the US and Canada. “Another Hindu mandir vandalised – this time the iconic BAPS mandir in Chino Hills, CA. It’s just another day in a world where media and academics will insist there is no anti-Hindu hate and that #Hinduphobia is just a construct of our imagination,” CoHNA posted on social media.
Another Hindu Temple vandalized – this time the iconic BAPS temple in Chino Hills, CA. It’s just another day in a world where media and academics will insist there is no anti-Hindu hate and that #Hinduphobia is just a construct of our imagination.
Not surprising this happens as… https://t.co/SXNmyRuTiT pic.twitter.com/V4P77wUKAV
— CoHNA (Coalition of Hindus of North America) (@CoHNAOfficial) March 9, 2025
BAPS Public Affairs echoed similar sentiments, stating: “Together with the community in Chino Hills and Southern California, we will never let hate take root. Our common humanity and faith will ensure that peace and compassion prevail.”
Hindu mandirs Under Siege
This incident is not isolated. In recent years, Hindu mandirs in North America have repeatedly been targeted, with evidence pointing to Khalistani terrorists and Islamists as key perpetrators. Some of the most notable incidents include:
- September 2024: The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Melville, New York, was vandalised with hate messages.
- September 2024: The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Sacramento, California, was desecrated.
- July 2024: Khalistani terrorists defaced the BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir in Edmonton, Alberta, with Hinduphobic graffiti.
- September 2023: The Shree Mata Bhameshwari Durga Devi Society mandir in Surrey, British Columbia, was desecrated with ‘Punjab is not Bharat’ graffiti.
- February 2023: A Ram mandir in Mississauga, Canada, was defaced with anti-Bharat graffiti.
- January 2023: The Gauri Shankar Mandir in Brampton, Ontario, was desecrated with anti-Bharat slogans, allegedly by members of the banned extremist outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ).
Adding to the concern, Islamist extremists have also engaged in anti-Hindu activities. The Islamic Society of North America (ISNA), which has links to radical Islamist organisations, has been accused of spreading anti-Hindu propaganda. In Canada, Islamist groups have joined forces with Khalistani terrorists to push anti-Bharat narratives, targeting Hindu communities and institutions.
Role of Khalistani and Islamist radicals
The Hindu American Foundation (HAF) has pointed to a recent video by Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, who openly threatened Hindu and Bharatiya institutions, including HAF itself. In his inflammatory rhetoric, Pannun incited violence against the Hindu community, a pattern that has been repeatedly observed in recent mandir attacks.
“The vandalism is similar to that seen in attacks on mandirs in New York, California, and Canada & called out by @CongressmanRaja @RoKhanna @ShriThanedar @PramilaJayapal @BeraForCongress @shuvmajumdar and other political leaders,” HAF posted on social media.
Breaking | The largest Hindu temple in California, @BAPS_PubAffairs temple in Chino Hills, was vandalized with profanities earlier today.
We ask @ChinoHills_PD, @FBI @FBIDirectorKash @DNIGabbard to investigate this latest in a string of anti-Hindu hate crimes on our sacred… pic.twitter.com/jT4Z0zCnIp
— Hindu American Foundation (@HinduAmerican) March 8, 2025
Following this attack, the Hindu community in North America is demanding justice and stronger security measures to prevent further incidents. While local law enforcement has launched investigations, Hindu organisations insist that US and Canadian authorities take a firm stand against both Khalistani and Islamist extremism, which continue to spread unchecked.
US lawmakers have also weighed in. Congressman Nick LaLota, addressing a prayer gathering at the vandalised Melville mandir, stated: “Deeply saddened by the desecration of our BAPS Mandir in Melville, NY, an act aimed at inciting hatred against Hindus. Today, local, state & federal leaders gathered to promote peace, respect & unity. Guided by our faith, we stand united against hate with compassion & solidarity.”
Similarly, Congressman Tom Suozzi condemned the hate crime, saying: “There is too much hate! I am appalled by the hideous acts of vandalism targeting the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Melville. Such acts of vandalism, bigotry, and hate are happening far too often because of inflammatory rhetoric by national leaders, extremism, and lack of accountability. Acts like these are un-American and contradict the core values of our nation.”
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