A Hindu temple in Jersey City, New Jersey, has become the latest target in a series of vandalism incidents across the United States, after it was found defaced with graffiti referencing “Gaza” and “Palestine”.
The act, which took place at the SMVS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, is being viewed as part of a disturbing trend in which Hindu places of worship are increasingly being used as canvases for political messages linked to global conflicts.
Authorities in Jersey City have launched an investigation, though no official statement or arrests have been reported so far. The vandalism comes amid heightened international tensions and follows similar incidents at temples in other states, sparking concern among the Indian American community about growing hostility toward Hindu institutions.
The Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA) condemned the attack and called for swift action from law enforcement. “Another Hindu temple vandalized with Gaza and Palestine graffiti. This time, in Jersey City, New Jersey,” the organisation posted on X. “We strongly condemn this act and call upon the authorities to swiftly investigate this. Why are Hindu temples targets of such political messaging that has nothing to do with them?”
Another Hindu temple vandalized with Gaza and Palestine graffiti. This time, in Jersey City, New Jersey. In 2022, the Shri Umiya Dham Hindu Temple in Edison, New Jersey was vandalized with “Free Palestine” graffiti in a similar fashion.
— CoHNA (Coalition of Hindus of North America) (@CoHNAOfficial) October 13, 2025
We strongly condemn this act and call upon… pic.twitter.com/bIg7RCrYwA
This is not the first time Hindu temples in New Jersey have been defaced with political slogans. In 2022, the Shri Umiya Dham Hindu Temple in Edison was similarly vandalized with the phrase “Free Palestine”. That case remains fresh in the memory of local residents, who have expressed frustration over what they see as a recurring and under-addressed issue.
Recent months have seen a sharp rise in similar incidents across the United States. Temples in California, New York, and Indiana have also been targeted with graffiti bearing anti-Hindu and anti-India messages.
Earlier this year, the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Chino Hills, California, was defaced with phrases such as “Hindustan Murdabad,” while the Indian Consulate in New York condemned the defacement of a Hindu temple in Long Island’s Melville area, describing it as one of several “heinous acts” requiring urgent investigation.
Another BAPS temple in Greenwood, Indiana, was vandalized in a separate incident, which the Indian Consulate in Chicago labelled “reprehensible”. The repeated attacks, occurring within a span of months, have alarmed community leaders who say Hindu temples have increasingly become soft targets for expressions of political anger unrelated to their faith or function.
Community groups and advocacy organisations have urged US authorities to identify the pattern and respond with greater accountability and protection for religious sites. They argue that the continued targeting of temples not only disrespects sacred spaces but also undermines the principles of religious freedom and peaceful coexistence that Indian American communities have long embraced.
As investigations continue in Jersey City, many in the community say they hope the latest incident will prompt authorities to act more decisively to prevent further attacks and ensure that places of worship remain safe from politically motivated acts of vandalism.
