Another Hindu temple in Canada was defaced and India demanded action

Toronto, (IANS) India strongly condemned the defacement of a Hindu temple in Canada on Wednesday and urged Canadian authorities to investigate the incident and take swift action against those responsible.

The Ram Mandir in Mississauga was vandalized with anti-India slogans, shocking the Indian community.

“We strongly condemn the anti-India graffiti at Mississauga’s Ram Mandir. We have requested that Canadian authorities investigate the incident and take action against those responsible as soon as possible.” The Indian Consulate General in Toronto tweeted early Wednesday.

The incident evoked strong reactions from Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown, who stated that hate has no place in Canada and that police are looking into it. “”I am deeply saddened to learn of the hate-motivated vandalism at Mississauga’s Ram Mandir. Unknown suspects spray painted the temple’s back walls. Such hatred has no place in Peel Region “On Wednesday, Mayor Brown issued a tweet.

“This potential hate crime is being taken very seriously by @PeelPolice and @ChiefNish . The investigation has been completed, and those responsible will be identified. Religious freedom is a Charter right in Canada, and we will do everything possible to ensure that everyone feels secure in their place of worship, “Brown elaborated.

A series of attacks on Hindu temples across Canada began in 2023, with nearly a half-dozen incidents of vandalism, malicious graffiti, break-ins, and burglaries.

According to media reports, an unsuccessful burglary attempt occurred at the same temple last week. According to reports, the thieves fled after a security alarm went off. According to media reports, the Bharat Mata Mandir in Brampton was robbed the next day, with the thieves making off with the donation box collections.

After “anti-India” graffiti was daubed on the Gauri Shankar Mandir in Brampton last month, authorities in Canada and India urged the Ottawa government to “take the matter seriously.” Indian-Canadian MP Chandra Arya had tweeted, “I call on govt at levels in Canada to start taking the issue seriously.”

“The attack on the Gauri Shankar Mandir in Brampton is only the most recent in a series of attacks on Hindu temples in Canada by anti-Hindu and anti-Indian groups. What comes next after physical assaults on Hindu temples and vitriol on social media?” Arya, a member of the ruling Liberal Party, asked the question.

On January 15, an unsuccessful break-in attempt was also made at the Shri Hanuman Mandir in Brampton.

The National Statistical Office of Canada reported a 72% increase in hate crimes targeting a person’s race, religion, or sexual orientation in Canada between 2019 and 2021.