Mahatma Gandhi’s Statue Defaced in Canada, India Condemns the Act

New Delhi: India expressed its deep anguish after a statue of Mahatma Gandhi was desecrated in Canada’s Ontario and called for a probe into the matter. 

The statue of Gandhiji was vandalised on Wednesday at Vishnu Mandir in Richmond Hill. Local police said the statue was defaced with graphic words like ‘rapist’ and ‘Khalistan,’ and they are investigating the incident as a ‘hate crime.’

“We recognize that the community-wide impact of hate crimes is far reaching and we vigorously investigate all occurrences of hate crimes and any hate-bias incidents," Constable Amy Boudreau, spokesperson for York Regional Police said. 

Budhendra Doobay, chairman of the temple, told Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) News that the nine-foot high bronze statue was installed more than 30 years ago and this is the first time in 30 years someone has vandalised it. 

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The Consulate General of India in Toronto and the High Commission of India in Ottawa condemned the incident and termed it a hate criome in a bid to ‘terrorise’ the Indian community. 

“We are distressed at the desecration of Mahatma Gandhi statue at Vishnu temple in Richmond Hill. This criminal, hateful act of vandalism has deeply hurt the sentiments of the Indian community in Canada. We are in contact with Canadian authorities to investigate this hate crime,” the Indian Consulate General in Toronto tweeted.

We are deeply anguished by this hate crime that seeks to terrorize the Indian community. It has led to increased concern and insecurity in the Indian community here. We have approached the Canadian government to investigate and ensure perpetrators are brought to justice swiftly. https://t.co/wDe3BUpEWi

— India in Canada (@HCI_Ottawa) July 13, 2022

The High Commission also said that the crime has led to “increased concern and insecurity” in the Indian community.