India on Saturday strongly condemned the incident of the defacing of SMVS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir at Newark, California, with anti-India graffiti, saying "it has hurt the sentiments of the Indian community".

"We strongly condemn the defacing of SMVS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir at Newark, California, with anti-India graffiti. This incident has hurt the sentiments of the Indian community," said the Consulate General of India in San Francisco on X (formally Twitter).

"We have pressed for quick investigation and prompt action against the vandals by the US authorities in this matter," it said.

The Hindu American Foundation had shared pictures of anti-India graffiti on the exterior walls of the Hindu temple on social media.

The images showed hateful slogans against India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the walls of the temple.

Khalistani terrorist Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale's name was also written with black ink.

According to the temple administration, the incident took place on Thursday night when one of the devotees who lives close to the shrine discovered the anti-India graffiti.

(With UNI inputs)