Chino Hills, CA: Americans4Hindus strongly condemned the cowardly act of vandalism that took place at the BAPS Hindu Mandir in Chino Hills, CA. The sacred temple, a cornerstone of the Hindu community in the region, was defaced with offensive graffiti, leaving the community in shock and disbelief. This senseless act of hate and intolerance is an attack not only on the temple but also on the core values of peace, respect, and unity that our society holds dear, Americans4Hindus said in a press release.
The Hindu community in the United States is increasingly alarmed by the rise in vandalism targeting Hindu Mandirs across the country. In recent months, incidents of defacement, destruction, and targeted hate crimes against places of worship have become more frequent, deeply troubling the Hindu community and raising serious concerns about safety and respect for religious spaces.
“Mandirs are not just places of worship; they are sacred spaces of spiritual and cultural significance for millions of Hindus. The growing trend of vandalism against these temples is an attack not only on the physical buildings but also on the values of religious freedom, tolerance, and mutual respect that are fundamental to the fabric of American society.”
“This is such a horrible way to have to get together. And asking for peace, which should come naturally. We do not tolerate this, this is a hate crime, I would say on behalf of the entire city, we are following it up with our police department”, said Mayor Art Bennett of Chino Hills at a meeting in the temple on March 9th. “We will find out who these people are. We will charge every criminal that we can and get them off the street to stop this hate”.
"We request the FBI to investigate yet another act of vandalism of Hindu temples in the US, this time it is the BAPS mandir in Chino Hills, CA.," said Dr. Geeta Sikand, VP of Communications for American4Hindus. "This is not just a place of worship; it is a space of cultural pride and spiritual growth for thousands of Hindus in the region. This attack seeks to divide, but we will not allow it to weaken the bonds of our community."
Americans4Hindus calls for swift action to bring those responsible to justice and stands in solidarity with the BAPS Hindu Mandir and its congregation during this difficult time. “This type of hate-driven vandalism has no place in our society, and we urge all individuals to unite against such acts of intolerance and bigotry. We stand firmly with our Hindu brothers and sisters in Chino Hills and across the country," added Dr. Romesh Japra, President of Americans4Hindus. "Our diverse communities are our strength, and no act of vandalism or hate will diminish the values of unity and respect that we hold in our hearts. We will continue to support our temples, places of worship, and communities as we move forward together in peace."
