- Chino Hills temple vandalized with anti-Hindu and anti-Modi graffiti
- FBI investigates possible hate crime links to Khalistan referendum
- Over 1,300 global BAPS temples face recurring security threats
- Sikh-Hindu coalitions condemn violence amid diaspora political divides
Residents of Chino Hills, California, awoke to a disturbing scene on March 8 when vandals defaced the pink sandstone walls of the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir. The phrases 'Hindustan Murdabad' and expletives targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi mark the fourth such attack on Hindu temples in North America since September 2023. San Bernardino Sheriff's Department confirms this as part of a pattern being investigated through federal hate crime statutes.
The vandalism coincides with heightened Khalistan separatist activities, including a planned March 23 referendum in Los Angeles. While no group has claimed responsibility, surveillance footage shows two individuals scouting the 20-acre temple complex. Temple volunteer Mehul Patel notes the facility averages close to 1,000 daily visitors, necessitating upgraded surveillance systems post-incident.
Interfaith groups like the Savera Coalition warn against blaming Sikh communities without evidence. 'Scapegoating threatens our shared goal of religious safety,' stated board member Prachi Patankar. This mirrors 2023 tensions when Canadian PM Trudeau alleged Indian involvement in a Sikh leader's assassination, later followed by a DOJ indictment of an Indian national in a New York assassination plot.
Industry analysis reveals a 41% spike in reported religious hate crimes since 2020 per FBI data, with diaspora hubs like California seeing concentrated incidents. Security firms now offer AI-driven threat detection tailored to worship centers, though costs remain prohibitive for smaller congregations. The Robbinsville BAPS temple, America's largest Hindu complex, recently invested $2.8 million in perimeter drones and biometric entry systems.
Regional case studies show California's 168 Hindu temples face unique risks due to high visibility and political activism. The January 2024 attack on Hayward's Sherawali Temple saw graffiti linking Modi to terrorism alongside pro-Khalistan slogans. Local law enforcement has since initiated monthly interfaith security workshops, a model being replicated in Texas and New Jersey.
As investigations continue, the Chino Hills community held a Shanthi Path peace prayer. 'We seek justice, not vengeance,' Patel emphasized. With 72% of Indian Americans reporting anxiety over faith-based targeting per a 2024 Pew survey, the incidents underscore urgent needs for both security reforms and cross-cultural dialogue.
