A Hindu temple in US’ California was defaced with pro-Khalistan and anti-India slogans.
The pictures of the graffiti were shared by the Hindu American Foundation on Saturday in a post on X, showing hateful slogans against India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the walls of the Swaminarayan Mandir Vasana Sanstha.
The graffiti also mentioned Khalistani terrorist Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale’s name on the walls, calling him Shaheed (martyr).
“The mention of the Khalistan terrorist kingpin #Bhindranwale, who targeted Hindus for murder, is specifically meant to traumatize temple goers and create a fear of violence—meeting the CA definition of a hate crime,” the Hindu American Foundation said.
“We are insisting that this should be investigated as a hate crime,” it added.
India strongly condemned the incident and said that it has sought quick action. “We strongly condemn the defacing of SMVS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir at Newark, California with anti-India graffiti. This incident has hurt the sentiments of the Indian community. We have pressed for quick investigation and prompt action against the vandals by the US authorities in this matter,” the Indian Embassy said in a post on X.
A case has been filed with the Newark Police Department and the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division.
