Hayward Desi news — 2026-09-22

Sikh and Hindu Communities Condemn Temple Vandalism in Hayward

Two Hindu temples in the East Bay were targeted by vandals in early 2024, sending shockwaves through the South Asian community in Hayward and beyond. Vijay's Sherawali Temple in Hayward was defaced with graffiti reading "Modi is a terrorist," while the Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Newark was hit separately in December. Members of the Bay Area Sikh community, including the Jakara Movement — a Sikh community organization — joined local law enforcement and city officials from Hayward and Newark at a press conference to condemn the attacks. "Reading in the newspaper about two vandalism events in mandirs in Newark and Hayward, left me wondering: How can this still be happening in 2024?" said Rakaab Singh, a Jakara youth organizer. Law enforcement, including the FBI, launched investigations. Alameda County Sheriff Captain Gurvinder Singh Gosal confirmed federal involvement. No suspects had been identified as of the press conference, with no surveillance footage available. Both incidents are being treated as potential hate crimes. The unified response from Sikh and Hindu communities signaled a broader commitment to interfaith solidarity against religiously motivated harassment. [2]

ICE Enforcement Heightens Fear Among Hayward Area Sikhs

Immigration and Customs Enforcement deportations have created a climate of fear and isolation for California's Sikh diaspora, including the significant Sikh population in and around Hayward, according to a commentary published by India Currents, a Bay Area-based South Asian publication. The piece examines how community members — many from Punjab who fled religious or political persecution — now face uncertainty about their immigration status, with some avoiding community spaces and gurdwaras out of fear of enforcement actions. Advocates note that the Sikh community, which has deep roots in the East Bay from as early as the early twentieth century, historically relied on community gatherings and religious institutions as pillars of support. ICE actions in California have disrupted these networks, leaving vulnerable families without access to social services or legal guidance. India Currents reporters interviewed families across the Bay Area who described reduced participation in community events, children pulled from local cultural programs, and a general withdrawal from public life. Community organizations in Hayward and Fremont have begun hosting know-your-rights workshops and partnering with immigration attorneys to counter the isolation and provide support to affected households. [1]

25,000 Gather for Diwali at Alameda County Fairgrounds, Hayward Residents Among Celebrants

Tens of thousands of South Asian families from across the Bay Area gathered at the Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton in October 2025 to celebrate Diwali — the Festival of Lights — in one of the region's largest annual cultural events. The celebration, organized by the Association of Indo Americans (AIA) with over 150 volunteers, drew more than 25,000 attendees. Hayward resident Deepika Bajpi was among those who called the occasion a milestone. "Indians are one of the majority populations now in California. So it gives you that recognition," she said. Fremont Mayor Raj Salwan, who grew up in the East Bay and is of Indian descent, noted that the growth of the festival reflects the expanding South Asian diaspora. "It legitimizes the South Asian community as a solid community in our area. They have much to contribute. They want to give back," Salwan said. Neha Agarwal of Union City brought her children to ensure cultural continuity: "I love this celebration, because I have a lot of memories from India going to these kinds of events." The event featured music, food, fashion shows, and fireworks. Beginning in 2026, Diwali became an official California state holiday, a recognition advocates celebrated as long overdue. [5]

Iconic Wah Jee Wah Indian Barbecue Closes East Bay Locations

Wah Jee Wah, widely recognized as the East Bay's most famous Indian barbecue restaurant, has closed its locations in Hayward, Fremont, and Milpitas, according to a report by KQED. The closure marks the end of an era for South Asian food lovers across the region who considered Wah Jee Wah a culinary landmark. The restaurant earned a devoted following for its distinctive approach to Indian barbecue, blending North Indian tandoor traditions with flavors that resonated across the diverse South Asian communities of Alameda and Santa Clara counties. Its Hayward location was a particular favorite, drawing diners from across the Bay Area. The KQED report described the closure as "for now," suggesting the possibility of a future reopening or rebranding, though no firm timeline was provided. The shuttering adds to a broader pattern of pandemic-era and post-pandemic pressures on independent South Asian restaurants in the East Bay, as rising rents and labor costs have strained many family-run establishments. Community members and food writers expressed nostalgia for Wah Jee Wah's unique menu, which helped define the Indian barbecue niche in the broader Bay Area food scene over more than a decade of operation. [6]

Sources: [2] ABC7 Bay Area · [1] India Currents · [5] ABC7 Bay Area · [6] KQED