‘Reprehensible’: Pro-Khalistan Elements Vandalise BAPS Temple In US, Consulate General Reacts

Last Updated:August 13, 2025, 12:56 IST

The Hindu American Foundation urged the elected officials to "move beyond empty condemnations" and take strict action against those responsible for the desecration.

BAPS temple vandalised in US (Photo: X/ @HinduAmerican)

A Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) temple was desecrated, allegedly by pro-Khalistan separatists, in Greenwood, Indiana, a city in Johnson County in the United States, a Hindu Americans group alleged on Tuesday.

The walls of the Hindu temple were vandalised with anti-India and anti-Modi graffiti, the Hindu American Foundation said in a post on X, while urging the “elected officials" to “move beyond empty condemnations".

They demanded stern action against the perpetrators of the crime, which they said took place for the fourth time in less than a year.

“For the 4th time in less than a year, a Hindu Mandir (temple) has been desecrated—this time the @BAPS Mandir in Greenwood, IN. Vandalizing temples with anti-India graffiti is a tactic often used by pro-Khalistan separatist activists—and a stark reminder of how slurring American Hindus as “Hindutva" fuels hate like this. It’s time elected officials move beyond empty condemnations and ensure perpetrators are held accountable," the Foundation captioned a post on X, in which they also shared the video of the vandalism.

Consulate General of India in Chicago condemned the desecration of the temple and said that the Consulate has taken up the matter with the authorities, seeking prompt action.

“Desecration of main signboard of the BAPS Swaminarayan Temple in Greenwood, Indiana is reprehensible. The Consulate is in touch with the community and has raised the matter with law enforcement authorities for prompt action. Today Consul General addressed a gathering of devotees and local leadership including Hon’ble Mayor of Greenwood, calling for unity & solidarity, and vigilance against miscreants there," the Consulate General posted on X.

Earlier in March this year, an iconic Hindu temple in Southern California was desecrated with anti-Hindu and anti-Indian government graffiti.

The California incident was condemned by the Ministry of External Affairs, which sought action against those responsible.

“We condemn such despicable acts in the strongest terms. We call upon the local law enforcement authorities to take stringent action against those responsible for these acts, and also ensure adequate security to places of worship," said ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal.

In September last year, the BAPS temple in Melville, New York, was spray-painted with anti-India slogans.

Nine days later, the temple near Sacramento was targeted, and in December 2023, the Newark, California, temple was also attacked, news agency AP reported.

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