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Hindu Temple in Indiana, USA, Vandalized – Khalistani Suspects Sought

Greenwood, Indiana (USA):
In yet another disturbing incident targeting the Hindu community abroad, the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Greenwood, Indiana, has been vandalized with hateful, anti-India, and anti-Hindu graffiti. The walls of the temple were defaced with shocking slogans like “Death to Hindus” and “Death to India”, sending waves of outrage across the Indian-American community.

Authorities suspect the involvement of Khalistani separatist extremists, marking this as the fourth attack on Hindu temples in the United States within the past year. Investigations are underway, but no arrests have been made yet.


A Sacred Space Violated

The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir is not just a place of worship—it’s a cultural and spiritual hub for thousands of Indian-Americans in Indiana. For many devotees, it is a space where they celebrate festivals like Diwali, Janmashtami, and Holi, and pass on values of peace, service, and devotion to the next generation.

But on this day, devotees arrived to find the sacred walls smeared with hate-filled messages—an attack not only on a building but on a faith, a community, and its heritage.


Pattern of Rising Hate Crimes

This incident is part of a worrying trend. In the past year alone, Hindu temples in California, New York, and Washington D.C. have faced similar attacks—often linked to radical Khalistani elements trying to spread fear and political propaganda in the name of separatism.

The Hindu American Foundation (HAF) strongly condemned the Greenwood incident, calling it “a clear hate crime against Hindus and people of Indian origin”. They have urged both local law enforcement and the FBI to treat the matter with the seriousness it deserves.


Khalistani Separatist Link Suspected

While official confirmation is pending, community leaders believe the attack bears the hallmarks of Khalistani extremism—a movement seeking a separate Sikh state carved out of India’s Punjab. Such groups have been escalating their activities abroad, often targeting Hindu temples as a way to provoke and intimidate.

In recent years, similar acts of vandalism have been live-streamed or shared on social media by separatist sympathizers, suggesting a coordinated propaganda campaign.


Voices from the Community

Local devotees expressed shock and sadness, with many saying they no longer feel safe visiting their own temple.

“We come here for peace, prayer, and community. To see these words on our sacred walls breaks our hearts,” said one volunteer at the temple.

Another community elder added:

“We left India decades ago, but hate has followed us here. We cannot let extremists divide our communities.”


Call for Strong Action

The Indian diaspora in the U.S. is now urging both American authorities and the Indian government to take decisive steps against those responsible. Demands include:

  • Federal investigation into hate crimes against Hindu institutions.
  • Stronger protection for places of worship.
  • Diplomatic pressure on countries harboring extremist leaders.

The incident has also sparked conversations about the safety of Hindu temples worldwide, with calls for enhanced security systems, surveillance, and community vigilance.


Unity as the Answer

While extremists aim to divide, Hindu leaders and interfaith organizations are emphasizing unity and resilience. The Greenwood temple plans to clean and restore the defaced walls immediately, followed by a special prayer for peace and harmony.

This act of vandalism may have targeted a building, but it has only strengthened the resolve of the Hindu-American community to stand firm against hate.


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