Page 6 - The Indian EYE 041423

NATION APRIL 14, 2023 | The Indian Eye 6

Alarm bells ring in New Delhi

as attacks on temples continue

in Canadian towns

After the latest attack on a temple in Windsor, the Ministry of External Affairs condemns the

vandalization and asks Canadian authorities to take action

OUR BUREAU Bagchi added.
“This issue has been taken up
Ottawa/New Delhi
with the Canadian authorities to
n another shocking incident, a catch the perpetrator and ensure this
Hindu temple has been vandal- doesn’t happen again,” he added.
Iized with anti-India graffiti in Clearing India’s stand on recent
Windsor in Canada’s Ontario. The incidents of vandalization at Indian
Windsor Police Service has started an consulates and High Commission,
investigation into the vandalism as a Arindam Bagchi said, “It (Vandal-
“hate-motivated incident” and two ization) has happened in a couple of
suspects are wanted in the incident. places. We have made it pretty clear
According to the statement, police to our host governments what actions
personnel were sent to the Hindu we expect from the host government
temple on April 5 after a report of in terms of what they need to do. We
hate-motivated vandalism. are in contact with the host govern-
“On April 5, 2023, officers were ments. We had conveyed our expecta-
dispatched to a Hindu temple in tions about the security of our prem-
the 1700 block of Northway Avenue ises and the safety of our personnel.”
following a report of hate-motivat- “What is important is action to
ed vandalism. Officers discovered be taken rather than assurances,” he
anti-Hindu and anti-India graffiti added.
sprayed in black on an exterior wall of In January, a Hindu temple in
the building,” Windsor Police said in Brampton was defaced with anti-In-
the statement. dia graffiti triggering outrage among
According to the statement, po- the Indian community. The Consul-
lice personnel were sent to the Hin- MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi with Indian Foreign Minister S Jaishankar (ANI) ate General of India in Toronto con-
du temple on April 5 after a report of demned the vandalism at the Gauri
hate-motivated vandalism. Shankar Mandir stating that the act
“On April 5, 2023, officers were running shoes. The second suspect facing of Ram Mandir in Mississau- has deeply hurt the sentiments of the
dispatched to a Hindu temple in wore black pants, a sweatshirt black ga with anti-India graffiti. We have Indian community in Canada.
the 1700 block of Northway Avenue shoes, and white socks,” the police requested Canadian authorities to The consulate office in a state-
following a report of hate-motivat- further said. investigate the incident and take ment said, “We strongly condemn the
ed vandalism. Officers discovered The Windsor police have called prompt action on perpetrators,” defacing of Gauri Shankar Mandir in
anti-Hindu and anti-India graffiti on residents in the immediate vicini- tweeted the Consulate General of In- Brampton, a symbol of Indian heri-
sprayed in black on an exterior wall of ty of the temple to check their home dia in Toronto. tage, with anti-India graffiti. The hate-
the building,” Windsor Police said in surveillance between 11 pm - 1 am Now, after the latest attack on ful act of vandalism has deeply hurt
the statement. (local time) for evidence of the sus- a temple, the Ministry of External the sentiments of the Indian commu-
In the investigation, police offi- pects. Police have urged people to call Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bag- nity in Canada. We have raised our
cers obtained a video that shows two the Mortality Unit if they have any in- chi condemned the vandalization of concerns on the matter with Cana-
suspects in the area just after 12 am formation regarding the incident. the temple. While speaking to the dian authorities.” Brampton Mayor
(local time). Earlier in February, the Ram reporters on Thursday, the MEA Patrick Brown also condemned the
“In the video, one suspect ap- Mandir in Canada’s Mississauga was spokesperson said, “We will continue vandalism of the temple.
pears to commit the vandalism on the vandalized with anti-India graffiti. to insist that action is taken against “We strongly condemn the de-
wall of the building while the other The Consulate General of India in the perpetrators. They are identified facing of Ram Mandir in Mississau-
keeps watch,” Windsor police said in Toronto condemned the defacing of and persecuted. Also, as important as ga with anti-India graffiti. We have
the statement. the Mandir and requested Canadian measures to prevent such occurrenc- requested Canadian authorities to
“At the time of the incident, one authorities to investigate the incident es.” “We want these incidents not to investigate the incident and take
suspect wore a black sweater, black and take prompt action against the happen, we want action and ensure prompt action on perpetrators,”
pants with a small white logo on the perpetrators. that the Indian community’s places tweeted the Consulate General of In-
left leg, and black and white high-top “We strongly condemn the de- of worship are protected,” Arindam dia in Toronto.

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