The Indian government condemns “hate crimes” at Bhagavad Gita Park in Canada, according to the city’s mayor
In response to the vandalism of a signboard at a park named after the Bhagavad Gita in Canada’s Brampton on Sunday, the Mayor of the town clarified that the police had investigated the matter and it was simply a matter of maintenance and reprinting.
A new name has been given to the park, formerly Troyers Park.
India’s High Commission in Canada announced in a tweet that it condemns the hate crime at the Shri Bhagvad Gita Park in Brampton. Hopefully, the perpetrators will be quickly caught and arrested by the Canadian authorities & @PeelPolice.”
We condemn the hate crime at the Shri Bhagvad Gita Park in Brampton. We urge Canadian authorities & @PeelPolice to investigate and take prompt action on the perpetrators @MEAIndia @cgivancouver @IndiainToronto pic.twitter.com/mIn4LAZA55
— India in Canada (@HCI_Ottawa) October 2, 2022
After yesterday’s reports of vandalism of the newly unveiled Shri Bhagavad Gita Park, we acted swiftly to investigate further,” said Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown. According to the builder, the reported blank sign was installed as a placeholder until tomorrow, when the permanent Shri Bhagavad Gita Park sign can be replaced.
Update on Shri Bhagavad Gita Park from the @CityBrampton Parks Department. pic.twitter.com/8DqxDSfO0b
— Patrick Brown (@patrickbrownont) October 2, 2022
“We are delighted to learn of this outcome,” Brown added as he thanked the Indian community for flagging the issue. Brampton is a safe and inclusive place to live, and we thank the community for bringing this to our attention.”
From @CityBrampton Community Services and Communications Department on the confusion over resident complaints about Gita Park sign.
“We learned that the sign was damaged during the original install & a city staff member brought it back for unplanned maintenance & to reprint.” https://t.co/hkfmSFF1Ui
— Patrick Brown (@patrickbrownont) October 3, 2022
Before investigating the matter, the Brampton Mayor stated that Canada had “zero tolerance” for such attacks. It has come to our attention that the recently unveiled Shri Bhagavad Gita Park sign has been vandalized. There is no tolerance for this behaviour. The matter has been flagged for further investigation by Peel Regional Police. Brown tweeted on Sunday that “our parks department is working on resolving and correcting the sign as soon as possible.”
In an apparent hate crime case on September 15, “Canadian Khalistani extremists” defaced a prominent Hindu temple with anti-India graffiti.
The Indian government also advised its Canadian citizens last month, citing an increase in hate crimes, sectarian violence, and anti-Indian activities.
Advisory for Indian Nationals and Students from India in Canadahttps://t.co/dOrqyY7FgN pic.twitter.com/M0TDfTgvrG
— Arindam Bagchi (@MEAIndia) September 23, 2022
Indian citizens and students studying in Canada and those travelling to Canada for education or travel are advised to exercise due caution in light of the increasing incidences of crimes described above.
There is a sizable Indian diaspora in Canada, which comprises one of the world’s largest diasporas of Indian origin. Indian students favour Canada for higher education today, with around 60,000 choosing to study in the country in the first half of 2022, second only to the United States.
