Vandalism was reported at a Hindu temple in Chino Hills on Saturday morning, according to authorities.
At around 9:15 a.m. on Saturday, March 8, San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department deputies responded to a report of vandalism at the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir temple off the 71 Freeway in Chino Hills.
An administrator at the temple reported to investigators that at least one suspect spray-painted political messages on the temple’s marble sign, a brick wall and a sidewalk, according to a sheriff’s news release.
A news release from the temple called it a hate crime and said there would be a unity prayer and call for peace on Sunday morning.
The vandalism comes days before a scheduled “Khalistan referendum” event in the Los Angeles area.
The referendum calls for an independent homeland for Sikhs, separate from India, according to NPR.
“Not surprising this happens as the day for a so-called “Khalistan referendum” in LA draws close,” the Coalition of Hindus of North America said on social media.
It is the third instance of a Hindu temple being vandalized in the United States since last fall, as reported by the The Hindustan Times, a publication in India that characterized the vandalism found Saturday as anti-India.
Vandalism repairs are estimated to cost more than $15,000 and no suspects had been identified as of Saturday night, the sheriff’s news release said.
An investigation is ongoing.
The temple is the site of the annual Diwali Festival in the fall.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Sheriff’s Department at 909-364-2000. To report information anonymously, call the We-Tip Hotline at 1-800-78CRIME (27463) or go to www.wetip.com
