New Delhi: The Consulate General of India in Toronto on Tuesday condemned the defacing of Ram Mandir in Mississauga with anti-India graffiti. The consulate tweeted that it has requested the Canadian authorities to investigate the incident and take prompt action against the perpetrators.
“We strongly condemn the defacing of Ram Mandir in Mississauga with anti-India graffiti. We have requested Canadian authorities to investigate the incident and take prompt action on perpetrators,” the tweet read.
According to PTI, the temple was defaced by 'Khalistani extremists' with anti-India graffiti in an apparent hate crime.
"Vandalism occurred overnight (February 13th) at the Shri Ram Mandir in Mississauga, Ontario Canada. We at the Ram Mandir are very disturbed by this occurrence and we are working with the appropriate law enforcement authority on this matter," PTI quoted the Facebook page of the temple as saying.
As per the report, the walls of the temple were painted with pro-Khalistani slogans and anti-India graffiti.
Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown also condemned the vandalism adding that the Canadian authorities are investigating the incident.
“I am saddened to hear of the hate motivated vandalism at the Ram Mandir Temple in Mississauga. Unknown suspects spray painted the walls on the back of the temple. This type of hate has no place in Peel Region,” Brown tweeted.
He further said that Peel Regional Police and its Chief Nishan Duraiappah are taking this potential hate crime very seriously.
He said, “The @PeelPolice & @ChiefNish are taking this potential hate crime very seriously. 12 Division has carriage of the investigation & they will find those responsible. Religious freedom is a Charter right in Canada & we will do every thing we can to make sure everyone is safe in their place of worship. “
This is not the first time that a Hindu Temple in Canada was defaced with anti-India graffiti.
Earlier in January, a Gauri Shankar Mandir Temple in Canada’s Brampton was defaced with anti-India graffiti triggering outrage among the Indian community, reported ANI.
The Indian Consulate General in Toronto had condemned the act and said, “We strongly condemn the defacing of Gauri Shankar Mandir in Brampton, a symbol of Indian heritage, with anti-India graffiti. The hateful act of vandalism has deeply hurt the sentiments of the Indian community in Canada. We have raised our concerns on the matter with Canadian authorities.”
Statistics Canada reported a 72 percent increase in hate crimes based on religion, sexual orientation, and race between 2019 and 2021, added the PTI report.