Hindu temple defaced with anti-Hindu and anti-India slogans in California
California, United States 
7 March, 2025
Case Summary
In Chino Hills, California, extremists vandalised the BAPS Hindu Temple, defacing its walls with hateful slogans such as "Fck Modi,"* "Modi Murdabad," and "Hindustan Murdabad." BAPS confirmed the incident in a post on the social media platform X, highlighting the hateful graffiti scrawled across the temple walls. In their statement, BAPS reaffirmed the resilience of the Hindu community, saying, "In the face of another Mandir desecration, this time in Chino Hills, CA, the Hindu community stands steadfast against hate. Together with the community in Chino Hills and Southern California, we will never let hate take root. Our common humanity and faith will ensure that peace and compassion prevail." The Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA) also condemned the act of vandalism, drawing attention to the rising pattern of such attacks. CoHNA pointed out that the incident had taken place just days before the so-called ‘Khalistan referendum’ in Los Angeles, suggesting a possible connection. They remarked, "Another Hindu temple vandalised—this time the iconic BAPS temple in Chino Hills, CA. It’s just another day in a world where media and academics will insist there is no anti-Hindu hate and that #Hinduphobia is just a construct of our imagination. Not surprising this happens as the day for a so-called ‘Khalistan referendum’ in LA draws close."
Why it is Hate Crime ?
This case has been classified as a religiously motivated hate crime under the prime category of 'Attack on Hindu religious symbols' of the tracker. Under this, the sub-category selected is- Attack on Temples. In Hinduism, a temple is the abode of the Deity. The Deity in the Temple is consecrated, thereby, making it a real, breathing entity. Hindus believe that not just the Deity but the temple premises itself are sacred to Hindus since Hindus hold the faith that the entire Temple space is an amalgamation of the divine energy of the deity. Given the central significance of Temples in Hindu Dharma, any attack against a Hindu Temple or its peripheral premises is an attack on the faith itself and is born out of animosity towards the faith, of which, the Temple is a central tenet. Any manner of attack against a Temple and/or its premises would therefore be considered a religiously motivated hate crime. Despite understanding that Hindu temples are centres of worship and sanctity, the Khalistani perpetrators defaced the BAPS Hindu Temple in Chino Hills in California with anti-Hindu and anti-India slogans. This act of defacement not only desecrates a place of worship but also serves as a provocative statement against the broader Hindu community. Here, along with anti-Hindu slogans, the perpetrators also defaced the temple wall with anti-Modi slogans. Here, one can argue that since the slogans were against the country and its Prime Minister in particular, the crime should not be documented in the Hindu hate tracker. However, the truth remains that the attack on Hindu temples is in itself reflective of the hostility Khalistani separatists nurture against Hindus. It is pertinent to note that Khalistanis view India as a Hindu collectivity, which forms a basis of their hostility and separatism. Their hostility is based on the demand for a separate state owing to the fact that India is a Hindu collectivity. Therefore, the anti-India slogans with which the Khalistanis defaced the temple is also a manifestation of their hostility towards Hindus and India as a Hindu collectivity. For that reason, this crime, overall, is a religiously motivated hate crime against Hindus.
Case Status
Unknown
Perpetrators Details
Perpetrators
Sikh Extremists
Perpetrators Range
Unknown
Perpetrators Gender
unknown
Sources 
