Meerut, March 9 -- Strongly condemning the defacement of a BAPS Hindu temple in California with anti-Hindu graffiti, Jagadguru Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati Maharaj on Sunday called it a "cowardly act" aimed at targeting a place of peace and harmony.

Speaking to ANI, Saraswati Maharaj said, "This is a cowardly act. Attacking a place where peace and co-existence is preached, and a place where the society comes together, is a cowardly act and is condemnable."

India on Sunday condemned the vandalism at a Hindu temple in California in the United States.

A BAPS Hindu Temple located in Chino Hills, California was vandalised with desecratory messages, days ahead of a so-called 'Khalistani referendum' in Los Angeles.

The o...