BAPS Temple Defaced, Fourth in Series, Draws Outrage And ‘Condemnation
India-West News Desk
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – On August 10, the welcome sign at the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Greenwood, a suburb of Indianapolis, was defaced with black spray paint bearing the words “Hindustan, Modi Murdabad.”
For observers, the use of “Hindustan,” which means “land of the Hindus,” instead of “India” appeared deliberate. Greenwood police classified the incident as “criminal mischief,” and the temple swiftly removed the vandalized sign.
Two days later, on August 12, the mandir held a special prayer service for peace, inviting local officials and faith leaders. In a statement, the temple reaffirmed its commitment to “pray for peace and harmony amongst people of all backgrounds and beliefs.” Among those in attendance were Greenwood Mayor Mark Myers, the city’s police chief James Ison, and representatives from Christian and Jewish organizations.
This act of desecration is the fourth targeting a BAPS temple in less than a year. Similar graffiti has been reported at mandirs in New York and California—cases now being investigated as hate crimes.
Reactions poured in from political leaders, community groups, and international officials.
Hindu advocacy groups link the incidents to rising pro-Khalistan activism in the United States, warning of a growing climate of hostility toward Hindu Americans. The Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA) noted that at least 12 Hindu temples nationwide have faced vandalism or burglary since 2022, calling on law enforcement to recognize the pattern and act decisively.
The Hindu American Foundation (HAF) described the graffiti as a tactic often used by pro-Khalistan separatists, warning that such incidents are fueled by stereotyping American Hindus as “Hindutva.”
CoHNA added that the attacks undermine the minority community’s sense of religious freedom, leaving worshippers feeling unsafe in their own places of devotion.
US Congressman Tom Suozzi (D-NY), condemning the Greenwood attack, stressed the need to “prosecute the perpetrators and educate against hate.”
Congressman Nick LaLota (R-NY) called religiously motivated crimes “unacceptable” and demanded accountability.
The Center for Interfaith Cooperation in Indianapolis whose officials attended the prayer meet, urged people to choose “curiosity, respect, empathy and compassion” over division.
The Consulate General of India in Chicago called the vandalism “reprehensible” and confirmed it had raised the matter with US authorities. Consul General Somnath Ghosh met devotees, community leaders, and the Greenwood mayor, urging unity, solidarity, and vigilance.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal labeled the act “despicable” and pressed for stringent action.
Shyam
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This stupid work is from brainless Khalistanies. They are not Hindus like brave Sikh.
August 13, 2025VIJAY
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What are trying to accby such hateful violent acts?
August 13, 2025Shoorveer tyagi
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Do not blame it on Khalistan without any evidence. You need to show that it was done by Khalistani people. Also ask Modi and Yogi and fanatic BJP party to stop targeting Muslims in India and stop using the bulldozers on Muslim peoples properties. If they do not stop tormenting Muslims in India, these crimes will keep happening. As you sow so shall you reap. Stop blaming people.
August 13, 2025Mat McDermott
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The latest incident of vandalism at a BAPS temple — this time in Indiana and one of four nearly identical incidents at BAPS temples in the past year across the country, in which spray-painted slogans urge death to Hindus, India, and/or leading members of the current Government of India — should be a wake up call for the Hindu American community.
Here in the United States we may be half a world away geographically from India, but political disputes and communal conflict from the spiritual homeland of all Hindus are sadly knocking on our temple doors here in America.
Increasingly vocal and brazen supporters of the creation of Khalistan — some of which have links to international organized crime and terrorism, an allegation that recent FBI arrests support — are targeting temples in the apparent conflated belief that they are official symbols of the nation they wish to split apart. At the same time they are putting all Hindus, regardless of their country of origin or current connection to India, into the crosshairs. If you are Hindu you must support the Government of India and therefore are their enemy, the broken logic of these vandalizing Khalistan supporters says. All mandirs are valid targets in their quest to avenge past wrongs, both real and imaginary, against Sikhs — most of whom both in America and India rightly want nothing to do with such vandalism, separatism, or terrorism and have good relations with Hindus.
Regardless of the genuine fact that our Hindu mandirs are places of spiritual solace for all templegoers and many are places of non-political community service and interfaith outreach, a hate-filled fight under the facade of political grievance is being brought to our doors. We did not seek this hatred and violence but we must not back down now that it has been brought to us.
For too long these incidents and who are responsible for them — by HAF’s count there’ve been 20 since 2022, including ones in Canada and Australia, and including ones where statues of Mahatma Gandhi outside temples have been attacked with similar motives — have been downplayed by mandirs in the interests of peace and community harmony. If we just quietly clean up and move on “we won’t be targeted again” and “all will be well”, seems to be the attitude.
This is a profound miscalculation.
If we Hindu Americans, both as individuals or institutions, do not take these incidents seriously and plainly state who the apparent perpetrators are, educating law enforcement and our elected officials about the dynamics and nuances of the threats we are facing, how can we ever expect these incidents to stop and those people responsible brought to justice? How can we ever expect these criminal bullies masquerading as freedom fighters to stop if we all, Hindu and Sikh alike, do not stand up to them?
We cannot and should not continue to brush these aside and mistakenly accept that occasional death threats in spray paint are just a fact of being a Hindu mandir in the United States. No other community would accept such threats and Hindus should not either.
Hindu American Foundation,
August 14, 2025Mat McDermott
pemba
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An uneducated, anti-Indian fool has displayed his stupidity, publishing this incident is also to some extend stupid.
August 16, 2025