Canada: Swaminarayan Temple Defaced With Anti-India Graffiti, India Demands Probe

A purported video of the temple after defacement is being circulated on social media where Khalistani slogans can be seen scribbled on the walls.

BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir

Source : Getty

New Delhi: India, on Thursday strongly condemned the alleged anti-India slogans at the BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir in Toronto and demanded an investigation into the incident. The Indian High Commission has raised concerns about the defacing of the temple and urged Canadian authorities to take immediate action against the culprits.

We strongly condemn defacing of BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir Toronto with anti-India graffiti. Have requested Canadian authorities to investigate the incident and take prompt action on perpetrators. @MEAIndia @IndiainToronto @PIB_India @DDNewslive @CanadainIndia @cgivancouver

— India in Canada (@HCI_Ottawa) September 15, 2022

Expressing shock over the incident, Brampton South MP Sonia Sidhu tweeted, “We live in a multicultural and multi-faith community where everyone deserves to feel safe. Those responsible should be located to face the consequences of their actions.”

I am distraught by the act of vandalism that has taken place at the #BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir in Toronto.
We live in a multicultural and multi-faith community where everyone deserves to feel safe. Those responsible should be located to face the consequences of their actions.

— Sonia Sidhu (@SoniaLiberal) September 14, 2022

A purported video of the temple after defacement is being circulated on social media where Khalistani slogans can be seen scribbled on the walls. The authenticity of the video is, however, not verified by ABP News. 

Unprovoked defacement of #HinduTemple in Canada. Can @PierrePoilievre assure his Conservatives wouldn’t indulge in identity-politics? Can his deputy @TimUppal condemn this act unequivocally & assure that he’d not overlook Khalistan extremism when in power?pic.twitter.com/g5lyOILl4Y

— Puneet Sahani (@puneet_sahani) September 14, 2022

Brampton mayor Patrick Brown also shared disappointment over the vandalism. “This type of hate has no place in the GTA of Canada. Let’s hope those criminals responsible are brought to justice quickly,” Brown tweeted.

Very disappointed to hear of the vandalism that occurred at the BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir in Toronto. This type of hate has no place in the GTA or Canada. Let’s hope those criminals responsible are brought to justice quickly.

— Patrick Brown (@patrickbrownont) September 14, 2022

Indian-origin MP of Canada Chandra Arya pointed out that the incident is not isolated as this kind of hate crime has targeted Canadian Hindu temples in the recent past. "Vandalism of Toronto BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir by Canadian Khalistani extremists should be condemned by all. This is not just an isolated event. Canadian Hindu temples have been targeted in the recent past by these kinds of hate crime. Hindu Canadians are legitimately concerned," the MP said.

Vandalism of Toronto BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir by Canadian Khalistani extremists should be condemned by all
This is not just an isolated event. Canadian Hindu temples have been targeted in the recent past by these kinds of hate crime
Hindu Canadians are legitimately concerned

— Chandra Arya (@AryaCanada) September 15, 2022

The latest incident comes after a number of temples were vandalised in Greater Toronto area earlier this year.

An estimated six Hindu temples have seen burglary, five in Peel and one in Hamilton both are part of the area, according to the Hindustan Times report. It has been reported that cash from donation boxes and ornaments from Hindu Gods were stolen in many of the cases.

The first incident took place in November last year when a break-in was reported at Hindu Sabha temple and Shri Jagannath temple, both in Brampton. Other instances were reported in January including temples such as Maa Chintpurni Mandir, Brampton, Hindu Heritage Centre, Mississauga,  Gauri Shankar Mandir, Brampton and Hamilton Samaj Temple, Hamilton.