(UTV | CANADA) – A statue of Mahatma Gandhi located at the Vishnu temple in Richmond Hill, Canada was vandalized on Wednesday. Local police said the statue was defaced with graphic words and they are investigating the incident as a hate crime.
Constable Amy Boudreau, spokesperson for York Regional Police said, “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.”
Budhendra Doobay, chairman of the temple, told that the statue has never been vandalized since it was installed more than 30 years ago.
The nine foot high bronze statue was made in Delhi and unveiled in May 1988.
The Consulate General of India in Toronto and the High Commission of India in Ottawa condemned the incident and took to Twitter to say they have contacted Canadian officials about the crime.
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 said the crime has led to “increased concern and insecurity” in the Indian community.