The Indian Consulate General in Toronto raised concern about the “hateful act of vandalism” of the Gauri Shankar Temple in Brampton, Canada, and called on authorities to investigate and take action against the perpetrators.
The consulate office further raised concern about the incident’s impact on the Indian community in Canada.
We strongly condemn defacing of Gauri Shankar Mandir in Brampton,a symbol of Indian heritage, with anti-India graffiti. The hateful act of vandalism has deeply hurt sentiments of Indian community in Canada. We have raised our concerns on the matter with Canadian authorities.
— IndiainToronto (@IndiainToronto) January 30, 2023
Overview
The Gauri Shankar Temple, a popular Hindu temple in Brampton, Ontario, was vandalised with anti-India and pro-Khalistan graffiti over the weekend.
In response, Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown condemned the incident and raised concern about the “hateful act” with the regional police chief. “Everyone deserves to feel safe in their place of worship,” the mayor added.
The @CityBrampton condemns the defacing of Gauri Shankar Mandir. This hateful act of vandalism has no place in our City or Country. I have raised my concerns over this hate crime with @ChiefNish and @PeelPolice. Everyone deserves to feel safe in their place worship.
— Patrick Brown (@patrickbrownont) January 30, 2023
Past Events
Since July 2022, there have been three other similar incidents of vandalism in Canada.
Last September, tensions between India and Canada spiked after New Delhi released a sharply worded statement lamenting the “sharp increase” in incidents of “anti-India activities” in Canada.
The Swaminarayan Mandir in Brampton was defaced on 13 September by Canadian Khalistani extremists, who vandalised the temple with anti-India graffiti.
The attack of Gauri Shankar Mandir in Brampton is latest in attacks on Hindu temples in Canada by anti-Hindu and anti-India groups.
— Chandra Arya (@AryaCanada) January 31, 2023
From hatred on social media, now physical attacks on Hindu temples, what next?
I call on govt at levels in Canada to start taking this seriously.
A Statistics Canada report released in August 2022 reported a 72% increase in hate crimes from 2019 to 2021. Consequently, there has been increased fear among minority community groups, including Indians, who account for four per cent of the population.
Khalistan Referendum in Melbourne
Last Monday, temple management of the ISKCON Hare Krishna Temple in Albert Park discovered graffiti on its front wall, saying “Hindustan Murdabad” (Death to India) and “Khalistan Zindabad” (Long live the Sikh homeland).
Police in Australia’s Victoria state on Sunday arrested two men at the voting site of a Khalistan referendum, wherein more than 55,000 Sikh citizens voted in a non-binding referendum on creating an independent Sikh state.
It was a privilege to call on Premier of Victoria @DanielAndrewsMP today. Discussed our strong and growing bilateral relationship, the violence in Melbourne yesterday, and how to stop extremist Khalistani groups engaging in further activities prejudicial to peace and harmony. pic.twitter.com/BSA9xlGNX6
— Manpreet Vohra (@VohraManpreet) January 30, 2023
The non-binding referendum was organised by Sikhs for Justice, a US-based group that has proposed the formation of a new state called Khalistan, which would comprise the Punjab region of northern India, including parts of Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Rajasthan.
The group, which is banned in India, has already held this referendum in other countries with large Sikh populations, such as Canada, Switzerland, Italy, and the UK, to pressure the UN into recognising a sovereign Sikh state.