GG News Bureau
California, 5th Jan. The Hindu American Foundation (HAF) reported on Friday that a Hindu temple in California, USA, was vandalized with pro-Khalistan graffiti. This incident occurred just weeks after the Swaminarayan Mandir in California was defaced with anti-India graffiti.
The HAF stated on social media that the Vijay’s Sherawali Temple in Hayward, CA was attacked with pro-Khalistan graffiti, following the previous attack on the Swaminarayan Mandir and a theft at the Shiv Durga temple in the same area.
#Breaking: Another Bay Area Hindu temple attacked with pro-#Khalistan graffiti.
The Vijay’s Sherawali Temple in Hayward, CA sustained a copycat defacement just two weeks after the Swaminarayan Mandir attack and one week after a theft at the Shiv Durga temple in the same area.… pic.twitter.com/wPFMNcPKJJ
— Hindu American Foundation (@HinduAmerican) January 5, 2024
The foundation is in contact with temple leaders and has reached out to the Alameda Police Department and Civil Rights Division for assistance.
Last month, the US State Department condemned the vandalism of the Shri Swaminarayan temple in California and commended the Newark Police Department for their efforts to hold the culprits accountable.
The Swaminarayan temple in Newark, California was defaced with anti-India graffiti on December 23, allegedly by pro-Khalistan activists. The temple administration immediately reported the incident to the local administration after a devotee discovered the graffiti on an exterior wall of the building.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar expressed concern over the vandalism and emphasized that extremist and separatist forces outside of India should not be given space. The Indian consulate has filed a complaint with the US government and local police regarding the incident.
The Newark police have classified the incident as a targeted act and have assured a thorough investigation.
