Anti-India slogans were scribbled on walls of the BAPS Swaminarayan Temple in Toronto on Tuesday. The Indian High Commission condemned the incident and took up the issue with the Canadian authorities urging them to take prompt action on the culprits. The High Commission tweeted, “We strongly condemn defacing of BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir Toronto with anti-India graffiti. Have requested Canadian authorities to investigate the incident and take prompt action on perpetrators.”
A video after the defacement of the temple is going all over the internet and Khalistani slogans can be seen on the walls of the temple.
Brampton South MP Sonia Sidhu expressed shock at the incident and tweeted, “We live in a multicultural and multi-faith community where everyone deserves to feel safe. Those responsible should be located to face the consequences of their actions.”
Brampton mayor Patrick Brown expressed his disappointment over the incident. He tweeted, “This type of hate has no place in the GTA of Canada. Let’s hope those criminals responsible are brought to justice quickly.”
Indian origin MP of Canada, Chandra Arya, said that this vandalism is not the first incident, Canadian Hindu temples have been targeted in the recent past. Chandra Arya tweeted, “Vandalism of Toronto BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir by Canadian Khalistani extremists should be condemned by all. This is not just an isolated event. Canadian Hindu temples have been targeted in the recent past by these kinds of hate crime. Hindu Canadians are legitimately concerned.”