Hindu Students Council condemns the anti-Hindu, politically charged vandalism of the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Chino Hills, California. (1) We urge the greater community to take attacks against Hindu mandirs seriously and increase awareness of hate crimes targeting the Hindu community. As a student organization, we recognize the non-partisan imperative to bring such incidents to light, increase mandir security, and equip Hindu-American youth with the confidence and knowledge to speak up against such targeted hate.
Hate crimes against Hindus have increased in recent years. Namely, a religious hate hotline report noted that 24% of all verified, reported religious hate incidents in California were directed towards Hindus (2), despite the fact that Hindus comprise a very small percentage of all Californians.
Generally, the larger media whitewashes and minimizes hate against Hindu-Americans. There are countless articles slyly suggesting that such hate is racially, not religiously motivated, and that Hinduphobia or anti-Hindu sentiment is not a serious, institutionalized issue. We must not let the model minority stereotypes distract us from the very real history of hate, such as the Dotbusters gang from the 1980s and 1990s. (3) That “dot”, or bindi, associated with Indians, is rooted in Hindu philosophy and is a proud Hindu symbol that has been donned by billions for thousands of years. A lot of anti-South Asian and anti-Indian hate IS also anti-Hindu, and it should be called as such.
Violence unfortunately continues to the present day. Very recently, an elderly Indian Hindu nurse was brutally attacked at her healthcare job. (4) Hindu Students Council requests everyone to call out and condemn racist and anti-Hindu discrimination, from temple vandalisms to violent attacks, for there are real and brutal consequences falling on the most vulnerable members of our community.
Dharmo Rakshati Rakshitaha.
The path of righteousness will protect those who uphold it.
Hindu Students Council
Arushi Ramaka, Director of Education and Awareness
Sources:
- https://www.indiatoday.in/world/us-news/story/baps-shri-swaminarayan-mandir-california-chino-hills-defaced-anti-india-grafitti-2691071-2025-03-09
- https://religionnews.com/2024/05/24/as-hate-crimes-grow-religious-minorities-look-to-fbi-to-increase-reporting/
- https://www.aaldef.org/news/the-juggernaut-the-dotbusters-were-not-a-joke/
- https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/diaspora/indian-origin-nurse-attacked-by-patient-in-florida-could-lose-eyesight/