Canadian Authorities Deny Vandalism At Shri Bhagavad Gita Park, Say 'Blank Sign Left During Repairs'

Authorities denied the incident saying "there was no evidence of vandalism to the permanent sign or any park structure" and clarified that the reported blank sign was left during the repair work

Shri Bhagavad Gita park in Brampton, Canada

Source : ANI

New Delhi: After India condemned the vandalism at a recently unveiled park named 'Shri Bhagavad Gita' in Canada's Brampton city on Sunday, the police denied the incident saying "there was no evidence of vandalism to the permanent sign or any park structure". Earlier, the Indian High Commission in Ottawa had sought an investigation into the incident, referring to it as a "hate crime."  

Responding to the incident, Peel Regional Police tweeted, “Permanent sign is still waiting for the lettering to be applied and it was a temporary park sign used in the park naming ceremony.”

“Shri Bhagavad Gita Park, #Brampton - Permanent sign is still waiting for the lettering to be applied. There was no evidence of vandalism to the permanent sign or any park structure. It was a temporary park sign used in the park naming ceremony,” said the Peel Police.

- Shri Bhagavad Gita Park, #Brampton
- Permanent sign is still waiting for the lettering to be applied
- There was no evidence of vandalism to the permanent sign or any park structure
- It was a temporary park sign used in the park naming ceremony
- PR22035311

— Peel Regional Police (@PeelPolice) October 2, 2022

The park, which was earlier known as Troyers Park, was renamed Shri Bhagavad Gita Park and officially unveiled on September 28, reported news agency ANI.

Calling it a “hate crime” and seeking “prompt action”, the Indian High Commission on Sunday tweeted, “We condemn the hate crime at the Shri Bhagavad Gita Park in Brampton. We urge Canadian authorities & @PeelPolice to investigate and take prompt action on the perpetrators”

Mayor of Brampton, Patrick Brown, who had condemned the incident of vandalisation of the park sign on Sunday said, "We have zero tolerance for this." However, he later deleted the tweet and put out a clarification sent by the city’s Parks Department.

In his latest tweet, Mayor of Brampton, Patrick Brown shared an update saying, “Following yesterday’s reports of vandalism of the recently unveiled Shri Bhagavad Gita Park, we took swift action to investigate further. We learned that the reported blank sign was installed by the builder as a placeholder until the permanent Shri Bhagavad Gita Park sign can be replaced tomorrow."

Update on Shri Bhagavad Gita Park from the @CityBrampton Parks Department. pic.twitter.com/8DqxDSfO0b

— Patrick Brown (@patrickbrownont) October 2, 2022

"We are pleased to learn of this outcome. We thank the community for bringing this to our attention, and ensuring Brampton is a safe and inclusive place to call home,” added Brown.

While the repairs were taking place, according to civic authorities, a blank sign was left up.

“The blank sign was left up during repairs. This is not usual process as we never remove a sign unless damaged or its name changes.”

— Patrick Brown (@patrickbrownont) October 3, 2022

The incident occurs only 10 days after India warned its citizens and students studying in Canada to be on guard since there has been a "sharp surge in hate crimes and anti-India activities."

According to the foreign ministry, cases of hate crimes, sectarian violence, and anti-Indian activities have been brought up with Canada, and it has requested an investigation in all such matters. "The perpetrators of these crimes have not yet been brought to justice in Canada," said the government.