The defacement of a Hindu temple in Brampton, Canada, with anti-India graffiti has sparked concern among the Indian community.
The Indian Consulate General in Toronto denounced the vandalism at the Gauri Shankar Mandir on Monday (local time), noting that the act has profoundly wounded the sensibilities of the Indian community in Canada.
The consulate office in a statement said “We strongly condemn the defacing of Gauri Shankar Mandir in Brampton, a symbol of Indian heritage, with anti-India graffiti. The hateful act of vandalism has deeply hurt the sentiments of the Indian community in Canada. We have raised our concerns on the matter with Canadian authorities.”
The Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown has condemned the vandalism and the Canadian authorities are investigating the incident.
“This hateful act of vandalism has no place in our City or Country,” adding that he had raised his concerns over this hate crime with Peel Regional Police Chief Nishan Duraiappah,” the Brampton Mayor tweeted.
“Everyone deserves to feel safe in their place worship,” the Brampton Mayor said.
This is not the first time that a temple was vandalized in Canada. Earlier in September 2022, BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir in Canada was defaced by ‘Canadian Khalistani extremists’ with anti-India graffiti.
Chandra Arya, Member of Parliament, Canada tweeted, “Vandalism of Toronto BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir by Canadian Khalistani extremists should be condemned by all.”
This is not a one-time occurrence. These types of hate crimes have recently targeted Canadian Hindu temples. Hindu Canadians are understandably alarmed.
In July 2022, a statue of Mahatma Gandhi at the Vishnu Mandir in Richmond Hill, Greater Toronto Area (GTA), was vandalised. In both cases, pro-Khalistan slogans were spray-painted, and the vandalism was propagated on social media by pro-Pakistan accounts.
Meanwhile, men from claimed pro-Khalistani organisations attacked Indians holding the national flag in Melbourne, Australia, on January 29.
