India on Sunday condemned the vandalism of the recently unveiled ‘Shri Bhagavad Gita’ park in Brampton, Canada and urged the authorities to investigate and take swift action against the perpetrators of the hate crime.
The park – formerly called Troyers Park – was renamed Sri Bhagavad Gita Park and unveiled on 28 September.
“We condemn the hate crime at Sri Bhagavad Gita Park in Brampton. We urge the Canadian authorities and @PeelPolice to investigate and act swiftly on the perpetrators,” the Indian High Commission in Canada tweeted.
The attack comes days after another temple was vandalized in Canada. Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown confirmed the vandalism at the park on Sunday and said Canada has “zero tolerance” for such attacks.
“We know the recently unveiled Sri Bhagavad Gita Park sign has been vandalized. We have zero tolerance for it. We have flagged the peel.
Regional Police for further investigation. Our Parks Department is working to try and fix the sign as soon as possible,” Brown tweeted on Sunday.
On 28 September, Mayor Brown said, “Today, @CityBrampton unveiled the renaming of Brampton’s Troyers Park to Sri Bhagavad Gita Park. Brampton is a mosaic, and this naming is for the Hindu community and everyone who contributes to our city.” We celebrate all. Our city’s cultures and all religions.”
On 15 September, a major Hindu temple, the BAPS Swaminarayan Temple, was mutilated with anti-India graffiti by “Canadian Khalistani extremists” in an apparent hate crime.
Last month, India issued an advisory warning its citizens of rising hate crimes in Canada.