CALLING it a “hate crime”, the Indian High Commission in Canada condemned the vandalism of the Bhagavad Gita park in Toronto and demanded a probe into the matter. The growth comes as a just lately unveiled Shri Bhagavad Gita Park signal was vandalized in Canada’s Brampton on Saturday.

The Indian High Commission in Canada condemned the “hate crime” and urged Canadian authorities to research the matter and take fast motion. It tweeted, “We condemn the hate crime at the Shri Bhagvad Gita Park in Brampton. We urge Canadian authorities & Peel Regional Police to investigate and take prompt action on the perpetrators.”

We condemn the hate crime on the Shri Bhagvad Gita Park in Brampton. We urge Canadian authorities & @PeelPolice to research and take immediate motion on the perpetrators @MEAIndia @cgivancouver @IndiainToronto pic.twitter.com/mIn4LAZA55

— India in Canada (@HCI_Ottawa)
October 2, 2022

Confirming the information, the Mayor of Brampton, Patrick Brown tweeted, “We are aware that the recently unveiled Shri Bhagavad Gita Park sign has been vandalized. We have zero tolerance for this. We have flagged this to Peel Regional Police for further investigation. Our Parks department is working to resolve and correct the sign as soon as possible.”

On October 1, Patrick Brown, Councillors, and members of the group gathered to unveil the renaming of Brampton’s Troyers Park to Shri Bhagavad Gita Park. Brampton is a Mosaic, and this renaming commemorates the Hindu group and all they contribute to town, the City of Brampton stated.

Incidentally, India had on September 23 issued an advisory for Indian nationals and college students in Canada to stay vigilant amid growing incidents of crimes and anti-India actions within the nation. In an announcement, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated Indian missions in Canada have taken up these incidents with the Canadian authorities and requested them to probe these crimes.

“There has been a sharp increase in incidents of hate crimes, sectarian violence, and anti-India activities in Canada. The Ministry of External Affairs and our High Commission/Consulates General in Canada have taken up these incidents with the Canadian authorities and requested them to investigate the said crimes and take appropriate action,” the MEA stated in an announcement.

Advisory for Indian Nationals and Students from India in Canadahttps://t.co/dOrqyY7FgN pic.twitter.com/M0TDfTgvrG

— Arindam Bagchi (@MEAIndia)
September 23, 2022

The assertion additionally burdened that “the perpetrators of these crimes have not been brought to justice so far in Canada.” “In view of the increasing incidences of crimes as described above, Indian nationals and students from India in Canada and those proceeding to Canada for travel/education are advised to exercise due caution and remain vigilant,” the assertion added.

The advisory additionally stated Indian nationals and college students from India in Canada may additionally register with the High Commission of India in Ottawa or the Consulates General of India in Toronto and Vancouver by their respective web sites, or the MADAD portal madad.gov.in.

“Registration would enable the High Commission and the Consulates General to better connect with Indian citizens in Canada in the event of any requirement or emergency,” the advisory stated. This advisory after India termed the so-called Khalistan referendum carried out by separatist teams as a “farcical exercise”.