Spray-painted vandalism was reported at a Hindu temple in Chino Hills on Saturday morning.

At around 9:15 a.m., San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department deputies responded to a vandalism report at the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir temple off the 71 Freeway in Chino Hills.

An administrator at the temple told investigators that at least one person 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. A unity prayer and call for peace were arranged for Sunday morning.

The church’s news release included photos of the messages, some targeting the prime minister of India, Narendra Modi.

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.

Several California politicians commented on the vandalism on X.

“Absolutely horrific,” said U.S. Rep. Young Kim. “Hate has no place in our society, and Americans should always feel safe in their place of worship.”

“These repeated acts of vandalism against Hindu temples are wrong and anti American,” said U.S. Rep. Ro Khanna.

“They are an affront to the principle of the freedom of religion that is at the heart of our nation.”

Ash Kalra, a state assemblymember representing most of San Jose, wrote, “Saddened to hear about this act of hateful vandalism. The Chino Hills Mandir is a beautiful place of worship and community building and I stand with them and the Hindu community in Chino Hills and Southern California against such vile hate.”

Assemblymember Alex Lee, who represents parts of Santa Clara and Alameda counties, said, “Temples and places of worship should never be targets of hate. I stand with the Hindu community. Hate has no place and mandirs shouldn’t be attacked.”

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.

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 was 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 800-78CRIME (27463) or go to wetip.com

Staff writer Andrea Klick contributed to this report.