A major Hindu temple in Brampton, Canada has been the target of anti-Indian graffiti, sparking outrage from the Indian community.
Condemning the act of vandalism at Gauri Shankar Mandir, the Consulate General of India in Toronto said the defacement of the temple has deeply hurt the feelings of the Indian community in Canada.
“The heinous act of vandalism deeply hurt the feelings of the Indian community in Canada. We have raised our concerns about this with the Canadian authorities,” the consulate office said in a statement on Tuesday.
The temple, which is a symbol of Indian heritage, was vandalized with hateful messages directed at India.
Canadian authorities are currently investigating the incident.
The defacement of the Hindu temple in Brampton is not an isolated incident, with at least three similar acts of vandalism recorded in Canada since last July.
Last September, India’s Foreign Ministry issued a strong statement, saying there had been a “sharp increase” in hate crimes against Indians and other “anti-Indian activities” in Canada. New Delhi had urged the Canadian government to properly investigate the incidents.
Statistics Canada, the country’s national statistics office, reported a 72% increase in hate crimes targeting religion, sexual orientation and race in Canada between 2019 and 2021.
This has led to heightened fears among minority communities, particularly the Indian community, which is the fastest growing demographic group in Canada, making up nearly four percent of the population.
Indian officials have repeatedly raised the issue of attacks on the Indian community by pro-Khalistan elements in Canada.
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