California:

A Hindu temple in California’s Hayward has been defaced with pro-Khalistan graffiti. The incident at Sherawali temple comes weeks after the Swaminarayan temple in California’s Newark was additionally defaced with anti-India graffiti.

The Hindu American Basis (HAF) in a submit on X shared a photograph of the defacement.

“One other Bay Space Hindu temple attacked with pro-Khalistan graffiti. The Vijay’s Sherawali Temple in Hayward, CA sustained a copycat defacement simply two weeks after the Swaminarayan Mandir assault and one week after a theft on the Shiv Durga temple in the identical space. HAF is in contact with temple leaders and involved with the police,” HAF stated within the submit.

#Breaking: One other Bay Space Hindu temple attacked with pro-#Khalistan graffiti.

The Vijay’s Sherawali Temple in Hayward, CA sustained a copycat defacement simply two weeks after the Swaminarayan Mandir assault and one week after a theft on the Shiv Durga temple in the identical space…. pic.twitter.com/wPFMNcPKJJ

— Hindu American Basis (@HinduAmerican) January 5, 2024

The HAF highlighted the significance of putting in safety cameras and alarm programs, contemplating the rising risk from Khalistanis.

“We’re as soon as once more encouraging all temple leaders to obtain the Hindu American temple security information… The information particularly discusses that temple graffiti qualifies as a hate crime and likewise the significance of putting in working safety cameras and alarm programs in view of the rising risk from Khalistan proponents in addition to the omnipresent danger from anti-Hindu actors,” the HAF stated.

We’re as soon as once more encouraging all temple leaders to obtain the @HinduAmerican temple security information https://t.co/zJnU1pdIl4

The information particularly discusses that temple graffiti qualifies as a hate crime and likewise the significance of putting in working safety cameras and alarm… pic.twitter.com/IbJ16Y0t3o

— Hindu American Basis (@HinduAmerican) January 5, 2024

In December, suspected pro-Khalistan activists had allegedly defaced the Swaminarayan temple in Newark, police had stated. The outside wall of the Hindu temple was defaced with anti-India graffiti.

The Newark Police Service had began an investigation into the vandalism. “One of many devotees, who lives near the shrine, found anti-Hindu and anti-India graffiti in black ink on an exterior wall of the constructing, and the native administration was instantly knowledgeable,” Bhargav Raval, the spokesperson for the temple administration, advised ANI.

The spokesperson stated the temple authorities have been shocked to seek out the anti-Indian graffiti on its wall. Shedding extra mild into the incident, Jonathan Arguello, a police captain for the town of Newark, stated the “focused act” was being investigated.

“Based mostly on the graffiti, we imagine it was a focused act, and it’ll be investigated with full thoroughness. I also can inform you that as a member of the Newark Police Division and the Newark neighborhood, we’re deeply saddened when a majority of these acts happen, and we predict they’re mindless they usually haven’t any room. We cannot tolerate them right here in Newark. So at this time, I needed to just remember to perceive how severely we take these conditions and know that we’ll examine as totally as potential with utmost care and sensitivity. I also can inform you that officers are presently investigating this by way of proof assortment,” the captain advised reporters throughout a press convention.

The police officer stated to piece collectively the chain of occasions resulting in the act of defacement, the footage from surveillance cameras in neighbouring properties have been being regarded into.

“Our insurance policies that any acts of violence or threats of violence, property injury, harassment, intimidation, or different crimes motivated by hate or bias are thought-about very severe and given the utmost care. We’re dealing with this investigation as a hate crime at this level, based mostly on our conversations with you and the bodily proof we have seen,” he stated.

The US State Division had condemned the vandalism of the Shri Swaminarayan Temple in California. It welcomed the Newark Police Division’s efforts to make sure that these accountable are held accountable.

In a submit shared on X by the official deal with of the US State Division for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs said, “We condemn the vandalism of Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Hindu Temple in California. We welcome efforts by the Newark Police Division to make sure that these accountable are held accountable.”