Overview

• The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, one of the largest Hindu temples in Southern California, was defaced with anti-India and anti-Hindu graffiti on Saturday.
• India's Ministry of External Affairs condemned the act as 'despicable' and urged U.S. authorities to take strict action and enhance security at places of worship.
• The vandalism occurred days before a planned 'Khalistan referendum' in Los Angeles, which has heightened concerns about religious tensions.
• The Hindu community, led by BAPS and advocacy groups like the Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA), has called for unity and a thorough investigation into the incident.
• This attack is part of a series of similar acts targeting Hindu temples in North America in recent years, including incidents in Sacramento and New York.