Canada: Indian High Commission Condemns ‘Hate Crime’ At Bhagavad Gita Park, Demands Probe

Bhagavad Gita Park Vandalism: The recently inaugurated Shri Bhagavad Gita Park sign in Brampton, Canada was vandalised on Saturday.

Shri Bhagvad Gita Park Sign in Brampton (Image Source: Twitter/@HCI_Ottawa)

Source : Twitter/@HCI_Ottawa

The Indian High Commission in Ottawa today condemned the vandalism of a park sign named after the Bhagvad Gita in Canada. The High Commission sought an investigation into the incident, referring to it as a "hate crime."  The incident is related to the vandalism of a recently inaugurated Shri Bhagavad Gita Park sign in Brampton, Canada, on Saturday. The park, which was earlier known as Troyers Park, was renamed Shri Bhagavad Gita Park and officially unveiled on September 28, reports news agency ANI. 

"We condemn the hate crime at the Shri Bhagvad Gita Park in Brampton. We urge Canadian authorities and Peel Police to investigate and take prompt action on the perpetrators, " according to a tweet from India's High Commission in Ottawa.

We condemn the hate crime at the Shri Bhagvad Gita Park in Brampton. We urge Canadian authorities & @PeelPolice to investigate and take prompt action on the perpetrators @MEAIndia @cgivancouver @IndiainToronto pic.twitter.com/mIn4LAZA55

— India in Canada (@HCI_Ottawa) October 2, 2022

Patrick Brown, the mayor of Brampton, tweeted to confirm the incident "We are aware that the recently unveiled Shri Bhagavad Gita Park sign has been vandalized. We have zero tolerance for this. We have flagged this to Peel Regional Police for further investigation. Our Parks department is working to resolve and correct the sign as soon as possible."

We are aware that the recently unveiled Shri Bhagavad Gita Park sign has been vandalized. We have zero tolerance for this.

We have flagged to Peel Regional Police for further investigation.

Our Parks department is working to resolve and correct the sign as soon as possible.

— Patrick Brown (@patrickbrownont) October 2, 2022

The incident occurs only ten days after India warned Indian 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 and action. According to a government statement, "The perpetrators of these crimes have not yet been brought to justice in Canada."

(With Inputs From ANI)