Shri Bhagavad Gita Park signboard in Brampton vandalised
Brampton, Ontario, Canada 
13 July, 2023
Case Summary
The Shri Bhagavad Gita Park in Brampton, Greater Toronto Area, Canada, faced vandalism on July 14, 2023, with graffiti targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi sprayed on one of its signs. The defaced signage, reading "Modi is a terrorist (BBC)," was swiftly reported by temple management and removed by city officials. The City of Brampton condemned the vandalism, stating it forwarded the matter to Peel Police for investigation. Mayor Patrick Brown expressed outrage, asserting zero tolerance for faith community intimidation. Indo-Canadians, including residents like Vijay Jain and Hiren Patel, denounced the act as Hinduphobia and called for immediate action against radical elements.
Why it is Hate Crime ?
This case has been added to the hate tracker under the prime category of 'Attack on Hindu religious representations' and under this, the sub-category chosen is- 'desecration of Hindu religious symbols'. Icons and symbols or a religious representation of a spiritual ideal are widely revered in Hinduism. Iconography is of vital significance in the Hindu milieu. It helps connect people’s spiritual beliefs with the real world. Iconography within the Hindu faith takes several shapes and forms. Murtis are of most significance to Hindus, to which daily rituals, prayers and offerings are done. Besides the murtis, there are several other symbols which have deep significance in the Hindu faith – the Om and Swastika for example. Since these Hindu religious symbols hold paramount importance in Hinduism, any desecration of symbols, icons, murtis, religious representations and manifestations, is driven by animosity towards the faith itself which manifests itself through these murtis, icons and symbols. Therefore, any desecration of these Hindu religious symbols and representations is considered religiously motivated hate crimes under this category. In this case, a park signboard was vandalised. The park was Shri Bhagavad Gita Park. The park was renamed in 2022 and several idols and statues of Hindu deities were present in it. Essentially, it was a park for the Hindu minority of the area, therefore, any attack on the park or the signboard of the park is symbolically, an attack on the rights of the Hindu community itself and a manifestation of religious hostility towards the Hindu community. The mayor acknowledged that this was an attack on the religious community and the locals reinforced that this is a case of Hinduphobia. Further, there are suspicions that the desecration was done by Sikh Extremists. While there is no confirmation, there is a high likelihood that it was religious animosity of the Khalistanis that resulted in the desecration, given the history of such attacks. Khalistanis view India as a Hindu collectivity and that religious identity is the root of their terrorism and separatism. On both counts, this is a case of attack on the religious identity of Hindus, driven by religious animosity, to intimidate the Hindu community. This case is therefore a case of religiously motivated hate crime.
Case Status
Complaint registered
Perpetrators Details
Perpetrators
Unknown
Perpetrators Range
N/A
Perpetrators Gender
unknown
Sources 
