In a matter of less than a month, another Hindu Temple has been defaced by Pro-Khalistani graffiti in the Bay Area of California. The Hindu American Foundation (HAF) on Friday shared the image of Vijay’s Sherawali Temple on whose signboard Pro Khalistani slogans were written along with derogatory remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Vijay’s Sherawali Temple's defacing is the second in less than a month. For the unversed, the Swaminarayan Mandir in California was vandalised with anti-India graffiti last month.
Talking about California temple Khalistani vandalism, Hindu American Foundation took to its official X handle and informed, "Another Bay Area Hindu temple attacked with pro-#Khalistan graffiti. The Vijay’s Sherawali Temple in Hayward, CA sustained a copycat defacement just two weeks after the Swaminarayan Mandir attack and one week after a theft at the Shiv Durga temple in the same area. HAF is in touch with temple leaders and in contact with @AlamedaPD & @CivilRights"
Furthermore, HAF issued guidelines for temples in the USA and requested the temple administration follow them to avoid such incidents. "We are once again encouraging all temple leaders to download the @HinduAmerican
temple safety guide.... The guide specifically discusses that temple graffiti qualifies as a hate crime and also the importance of installing working security cameras and alarm systems in view of the rising threat from #Khalistan proponents as well as the omnipresent risk from anti-Hindu actors."
Notably, Shri Swaminarayan temple in Newark, California was defaced with Pro-Khalistan graffiti and it brought reaction from both the US State Department and India's EAM S Jaishankar. The US State Department on X had wrote, "We condemn the vandalism of Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Hindu Temple in California. We welcome efforts by the Newark Police Department to ensure that those responsible are held accountable."
On the other hand, EAM Jaishankar was quoted saying, "I have seen the news. As you know, we are concerned about this. Extremists and separatist forces outside India should not get space. Our consulate has lodged a complaint with the (US) government and the police there over whatever happened, and I believe the matter is being inquired."
Notably, the relationship between India and the USA is turning out to be a tricky one after Washington accused Indian agents of carrying out the failed assassination of India's most wanted terrorist & SFJ Founder Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. However, New Delhi has denied the claims that it had a role in carrying out such an act. As per reports, Pannun who often threatens terrorist attacks in India holds dual passports- Canada and the USA. Canadian PM Trudeau has also extended his soft support to Khalistanis after he called out India for assassinating Hardeep Singh Nijjar, another Khalistani terrorist.