Hindu American Foundation decries rise in temple vandalism

The recent Greenwood attack among 20 incidents worldwide since 2022, HAF says.

Grab from a video posted by HAF shows vandalized BAPS temple in Indiana; (right) HAF logo. / X/@HinduAmerican

The Hindu American Foundation, a leading Hindu advocacy group in the US, issued a strong-worded statement on Aug. 13, criticizing the recent attack on a Hindu Temple in Greenwood, Indiana.

The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Greenwood, Indiana, was vandalized with hateful graffiti. This attack marks the fourth instance of a Hindu temple being desecrated in less than a year. BAPS described the attack as a “hateful act”.

ALSO READ: Fourth Hindu temple vandalized in US in less than a year

Reacting sharply to the incident, HAF said, "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."

HAF also classified the attack as a politically motivated move and alleged, "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."

It added, "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."

BREAKING| 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… pic.twitter.com/bqH6y1kq9c
— Hindu American Foundation (@HinduAmerican) August 12, 2025

HAF described the Hindu temples as places for spiritual solace and places of non-political community service and inter-faith outreach. According to the group, there have been 20 attacks since 2022, including incidents in Canada and Australia, some involving vandalism of Mahatma Gandhi statues outside temples with similar motives.

Labeling the downplaying of such instances as a "profound miscalculation", HAF said, "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?"

Indian Embassy raises concern

The Indian Embassy in Chicago also voiced its concerns after the attack. It described the incident as reprehensible and reached out to the authorities. The embassy said on X, "The Consulate is in touch with the community and has raised the matter with law enforcement authorities for prompt action."

Additionally, the embassy also reached out to devotees and the administration, it said, "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."

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…
— India in Chicago (@IndiainChicago) August 12, 2025

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