Pro-Khalistan separatists have allegedly desecrated a Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) temple in Greenwood, Indiana, scrawling anti-India and anti-Modi graffiti across its walls. Hindu American groups have described the incident as the fourth such attack on a Hindu temple in the United States within a year.
The Hindu American Foundation, which posted images and video footage of the vandalism on X, called on elected officials to “move beyond empty condemnations” and ensure that those responsible face stringent action.
“For the 4th time in less than a year, a Hindu Mandir (temple) has been desecrated, this time the @BAPS Mandir in Greenwood, IN. Vandalizing temples with anti-India graffiti is a tactic often used by pro-Khalistan separatist activists, and a stark reminder of how slurring American Hindus as ‘Hindutva’ fuels hate like this. It’s time elected officials move beyond empty condemnations and ensure perpetrators are held accountable,” the Foundation stated.
The Consulate General of India in Chicago denounced the act, terming it “reprehensible”, and confirmed that the matter had been taken up with law enforcement agencies.
Also read: US lawmakers condemn vandalism of BAPS temple in New York
“Desecration of main signboard of the BAPS Swaminarayan Temple in Greenwood, Indiana is reprehensible. The Consulate is in touch with the community and has raised the matter with law enforcement authorities for prompt action. Today Consul General addressed a gathering of devotees and local leadership including Hon’ble Mayor of Greenwood, calling for unity & solidarity, and vigilance against miscreants there,” the Consulate posted on X.
This latest incident follows a string of attacks on Hindu places of worship across the US. In March this year, an iconic temple in Southern California was defaced with anti-Hindu and anti-Indian government slogans, an act condemned by the Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi, which urged local authorities to provide adequate protection to such institutions.
“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,” Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal had said.
Last year, the BAPS temple in Melville, New York, was spray-painted with anti-India slogans in September. Nine days later, a temple near Sacramento was targeted, followed by an attack on the Newark, California, temple in December 2023.
Hindu advocacy groups say the repeated targeting of temples reflects a disturbing escalation in hate incidents, underscoring the need for stronger community vigilance and law enforcement action.
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