Canada’s foreign minister condemns desecration of Hindu temple
The defacing of the Hindu temple in Brampton is not an isolated incident as at least three other Hindu temples have been vandalised in Canada since July 2022.
Canada's Foreign Minister Melanie Joly. Photo- AFP
Toronto: Canada’s foreign minister Melanie Joly condemned the defacing of the Hindu temple in Brampton on Monday.
In a tweet on Tuesday, Melanie said, “Everyone should be able to practice their faith in peace, free from violence and intimidation.”
“I stand with Hindu communities in denouncing the vandalism at Gauri Shankar Mandir in Brampton,” she said, adding, “We have a collective responsibility to denounce hateful acts”, which have no place in Canada.
Everyone should be able to practice their faith in peace, free from violence and intimidation.
I stand with Hindu communities in denouncing the vandalism at Gauri Shankar Mandir in Brampton. We have a collective responsibility to denounce hateful acts, which have no place in 🇨🇦.
— Mélanie Joly (@melaniejoly) January 31, 2023
Joly led other Canadian politicians in criticising the desecration of temple located in the town of Brampton.
Sonia Sidhu, MP of the ruling Liberal Party, said she was “concerned about an act of vandalism and hate” at the temple.
I am concerned about an act of vandalism and hate at Brampton’s Gauri Shankar Mandir. I’ve already spoken with the Mandir and Peel Police.
As @PeelPolice investigates the incident, I continue to unequivocally state that all Canadians deserve to feel safe in their place of worship— Sonia Sidhu (@SoniaLiberal) January 31, 2023
Many prominent people and senior politicians condemned the incident including Liberal Party MP Chandra Arya.
“The attack of Gauri Shankar Mandir in Brampton is latest in attacks on Hindu temples in Canada by anti-Hindu and anti-India groups. From hatred on social media, now physical attacks on Hindu temples, what next? I call on govt at levels in Canada to start taking this seriously,” Arya tweeted.
The attack of Gauri Shankar Mandir in Brampton is latest in attacks on Hindu temples in Canada by anti-Hindu and anti-India groups.
From hatred on social media, now physical attacks on Hindu temples, what next?
I call on govt at levels in Canada to start taking this seriously.— Chandra Arya (@AryaCanada) January 31, 2023
Brampton mayor Patrick Brown had also condemned what he described as a “hateful act of vandalism” and a “hate crime.”
The @CityBrampton condemns the defacing of Gauri Shankar Mandir. This hateful act of vandalism has no place in our City or Country. I have raised my concerns over this hate crime with @ChiefNish and @PeelPolice. Everyone deserves to feel safe in their place worship.
— Patrick Brown (@patrickbrownont) January 30, 2023
Last year, the Ministry of External Affairs had pointed out there has been a sharp rise in “hate crime” and “anti Indian activities” in Canada.
The Canadian authorities have started an investigation into the incident. A banned terror organisation Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) and other Khalistani groups are suspected to be involved in the incident.
According to data released by Statistics Canada last year, Canada has experienced a steep rise in hate crimes targeting religion, sexual orientation and race in the last few years.
Canada has witnessed a 72 per cent jump in its hate crime rate between 2019 and 2021, said Statistics Canada.
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