Swaminarayan Temple in Toronto Vandalised with Anti-India slogans, India raises issue with Canada, demands immediate action

Anti-Indian graffiti was written on the walls of the BAPS Swaminarayan Temple by a Khalistani extremists Toronto on Tuesday. The Indian High Commission expressed its condemnation for the incident and raised the matter with the Canadian authorities, urging them to take immediate action against the offenders.

We strongly condemn the anti-India graffiti that was daubed on the BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir in Toronto, the High Commission tweeted. “Have requested that Canadian authorities investigate the incident and take appropriate action against the culprits."

We strongly condemn defacing of BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir Toronto with anti-India graffiti. Have requested Canadian authorities to investigate the incident and take prompt action on perpetrators. @MEAIndia @IndiainToronto @PIB_India @DDNewslive @CanadainIndia @cgivancouver

— India in Canada (@HCI_Ottawa) September 15, 2022

After the temple was vandalised, a video of the incident went viral on the internet, showing Khalistani slogans written on the temple's walls.

Brampton's mayor, Patrick Brown, voiced disgust over the incident. He tweeted, “This type of hate has no place in the GTA or Canada. Let’s hope those criminals responsible are brought to justice quickly”.

Chandra Arya, a Canadian MP of Indian origin, stated that this is not the first time that Hindu temples in Canada have been vandalised.

He tweeted, “Vandalism of Toronto BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir by Canadian Khalistani extremists should be condemned by all. This is not just an isolated event. Canadian Hindu temples have been targeted in the recent past by these kinds of hate crime. Hindu Canadians are legitimately concerned.”

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