‘Hateful Act Of Vandalism Hurt Sentiments’: India On Desecration Of Mahatma Gandhi's Statue In Canada

Constable Amy Boudreau, spokesperson for York Regional Police, revealed someone defaced the statue with 'graphic words,' including 'rapist' stressing that hate crime will not be tolerated in any form

India on Wednesday condemned the desecration of a statue of Mahatma Gandhi at a Hindu temple in the Richmond Hill city of Ontario, Canada demanding a probe into the act. The police said the incident is being investigated as a hate crime. The statue was vandalized at Vishnu Mandir in the area of Yonge Street and Garden Avenue, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) reported quoting York Regional Police, according to the news agency ANI.

"We are distressed at the desecration of Mahatma Gandhi statue at Vishnu temple in Richmond Hill. This criminal, hateful act of vandalism has deeply hurt the sentiments of the Indian community in Canada. We are in contact with Canadian authorities to investigate this hate crime," the Indian Consulate General in Toronto tweeted.

India has sought investigation so that perpetrators are brought to justice swiftly. Stating that India is deeply anguished by the hate crime that seeks to terrorise the Indian community, the high commission in Ottawa tweeted, "We are deeply anguished by this hate crime that seeks to terrorize the Indian community. It has led to increased concern and insecurity in the Indian community here. We have approached the Canadian government to investigate and ensure perpetrators are brought to justice swiftly."

This has been decribed as hate and a ‘bias-motivated incident,’ according to the local police. "Someone defaced the statue with 'graphic words,' including 'rapist' and 'Khalistan," informed Constable Amy Boudreau, spokesperson for York Regional Police.

Stressing that York Regional Police does not tolerate hate crime in any form, Boudreau said. "Those who victimize others based on race, national or ethnic origin, language, colour, religion, age, gender, gender identity, gender expression and the like will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."

"We recognize that community-wide impact of hate crimes is far-reaching and we do vigorously investigate all occurrences of hate crimes and any hate bias incidents," she added.