A Hindu temple in Hayward, California, named Sherawali temple, has fallen victim to defacement with pro-Khalistan graffiti, marking the second incident in the region in recent weeks. The Sherawali temple was targeted just weeks after the Swaminarayan temple in Newark, California, suffered a similar fate with anti-India graffiti. The incidents have raised concerns among the Hindu American community regarding the security of religious institutions.
The Hindu American Foundation (HAF) reported the defacement of the Sherawali temple and shared an image of the graffiti on social media. The foundation emphasized the need for heightened security measures, including working security cameras and alarm systems, in response to the escalating threat from Khalistan supporters. HAF is actively engaging with temple leaders and coordinating with local authorities, including the Alameda Police Department and Civil Rights organizations.
The incident follows a pattern of attacks on Hindu temples in the Bay Area, indicating a concerning trend that demands urgent attention. Just one week before the Sherawali temple defacement, the Shiv Durga temple in the same area experienced a theft, further raising anxieties within the community.
In December, HAF claimed that pro-Khalistan activists targeted the Swaminarayan temple in Newark, California, with defacement containing anti-India sentiments. The repetition of such incidents highlights the vulnerability of Hindu temples and underscores the importance of implementing comprehensive security measures to protect sacred places of worship.
As the Hindu American community grapples with these distressing occurrences, the call for solidarity and increased vigilance gains momentum. The Hindu American Foundation continues to advocate for the safeguarding of religious spaces and the pursuit of justice against those responsible for the acts of vandalism and defacement. The incidents serve as a stark reminder of the need for collective efforts to ensure the security and sanctity of places of worship for all communities.
