Since December 2024, eight Hindu temples have been vandalised across the United States, with most incidents happening right here in California, the state I call home. What's at stake is not just a religious structure. Temples function as vibrant community centres, nurturing equality, charity, cultural diversity, philosophical debate, and spiritual growth. They are the lifeblood of the hardworking, talented Hindu diaspora - a group whose contributions to the American economy, culture, and community cannot be overstated. If America prides itself on religious liberty, isn't vandalising a temple more than a hate crime? Isn't it a direct affront to America's core ideals?
I'll never forget the morning of September 15, 2024, when I awoke to the news that the BAPS mandir in Mather, Sacramento, CA, had been vandalised. I felt as though my sanctuary had been violated. My connection with this temple is profound; since my first visit here after the COVID-19 pandemic for the Diwali celebrations, there has been a sense of belonging difficult to describe. The glow of multicoloured lights, the fragrance of flowers, the joy of devotees dressed in vibrant attire, and the shared feast - these moments are the very fabric of community, woven into the tapestry of what it means to be American.
This is why the act of defacing a temple hits so deeply - it's like an assault on one's own home and self. When I attended the first press conference after the attack as part of the Hindu American Foundation, the graffiti on the entrance read "Go back, Hindus". These words have haunted our sacred places for months. Temples serve as our spiritual connection to India, our ancestral home, and to think they could be targeted in a country celebrated for protecting religious freedom - that notion is shattering.
The aftermath of these attacks ripples through the community, raising existential questions for immigrants who crossed oceans seeking safety and acceptance. On September 15, my phone buzzed nonstop as WhatsApp groups of Hindu Americans voiced confusion, fear, and pain. These assaults don't just chip away at property - they gnaw away at the psyche of entire communities.
Many believe, with ample evidence, that Khalistani extremists are behind these attacks - dragging peaceful Hindus into conflicts that have nothing to do with our lived experiences, either here or in India. Attempts to create division between Hindus and Sikhs are not only senseless but cruel, especially considering our intertwined histories, mutual respect, and participation in each other's celebrations.
The most recent attack on the BAPS mandir in Greenwood, Indiana, just four days shy of India's Independence Day anniversary, is telling. It underscores the danger posed by separatist ideologies and also exposes the disappointing indifference of law enforcement and elected officials who benefit from the support of the Hindu American community.
If America truly stands for liberty, pluralism, and the right to worship freely, every temple targeted is a wound to the nation itself. Attacking a place of faith isn't just a blow to a community - it's a strike at the very heart of what makes America, America. It's time for us, as citizens and leaders, to recognise that the defence of our temples is really the defence of America's character. The silence around these assaults cannot continue; we must respond as fiercely in words and action as we do in pride for our diversity.
(The author is California Regional Director, Hindu American Foundation)
Disclaimer: These are the personal opinions of the author
