A BAPS Hindu Temple in Chino Hills, California, was recently vandalized with what authorities are calling "discretionary messages". This incident, which occurred just days before a scheduled 'Khalistan referendum' in Los Angeles, has sparked outrage and concern within the Hindu community.

BAPS Public Affairs has responded by emphasizing their commitment to standing against hate and maintaining peace. Similarly, the Coalition of Hindus of North America has called for a thorough investigation into the matter, highlighting what they believe is a disturbing pattern of temple vandalism.

The incident in Chino Hills is not an isolated one. Recent months have seen similar attacks on Hindu temples in Sacramento and New York. In one such incident, the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Sacramento, California, was vandalized. Prior to that, a BAPS Mandir in New York was also targeted. These acts included the spray-painting of anti-Hindu messages, such as "Hindus go back," causing alarm and distress among local Hindus. The community has responded by expressing its determination to stand united against such acts of hatred.

In December 2023, a Hindu temple in Newark, California, was defaced with pro-Khalistani slogans. The Hindu American Foundation shared images on X (formerly Twitter) of the Swaminarayan Mandir Vasana Sanstha, showing hateful slogans against India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi scrawled on its walls. The graffiti also mentioned Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, a slain Khalistani terrorist. The Hindu American Foundation urged the Newark Police Department to investigate the incident as a hate crime, informing both the Newark Police and the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division.

The Indian Consulate in San Francisco has strongly condemned the defacing of the Swaminarayan Mandir Vasana Sanstha, calling it an act that has hurt the sentiments of the Indian community. They have pressed US authorities for a swift probe and prompt action against those responsible. India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has also addressed the issue, asserting that extremists and separatists should not be given space.

These incidents follow a troubling trend of increasing attacks on Hindu temples in both the United States and Canada. In Canada, a temple in Surrey was vandalized with posters related to the death of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. In August, activists of the banned Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) defaced several metro stations in Delhi with pro-Khalistan graffiti ahead of the G20 Summit.

The BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, in response to the vandalism in Melville, New York, held a prayer meeting at the site, with US representatives, senators, and local leaders in attendance. The organization has also declared that freedom of worship must be protected.