OGC offers cash reward of $10,000 for information regarding vandalism of Hindu mandirs
In a recent press release, the Ontario Gurudwara Committee has unequivocally condemned any and all acts of vandalism that have taken place in recent months at Hindu places of worship across Ontario. The committee has offered a reward of $10,000 to anyone who can provide information that leads to the arrest of the culprits responsible for the recent acts of vandalism.
The release said, “In recent months, Ottawa MP Chandra Arya falsely tweeted about an act of vandalism in Brampton, blaming the Sikh community without any evidence. This tweet was later debunked by Peel Regional Police, as no such incident had even occurred. In a similar vein, two individuals of Indian origin were apprehended while vandalizing their own places of worship in Australia. We believe the similarities between these incidents suggest a pattern may be emerging to malign the Sikh community in Canada.”
It further mentioned, ” In line with far–right Hindutva leaders in India, BJP supporters in Canada have been falsely equating critique of Indian government policies or other political movements as “anti–Hindu” and undermining this political dissent as hinduphobic. As a result, all political expression which undermines fascist visions of a Hindu rashtra are deemed illegitimate and unacceptable. The emerging pattern of clear collaboration between Indian state actors and various MPs and MPPS of Indian background on this issue are alarming. Given the immediate threat posed to Canadian institutions by foreign interference, any degree of involvement by Indian intelligence or diplomatic staff behind these incidents of vandalism, the targeted messages disseminated in media, or the activity of Canadian legislators must be thoroughly investigated and prosecuted.”
The Ontario Sikh Gurudwara Committee has strongly condemned any acts of vandalism at Hindu places of worship and urges all places of worship in Ontario to remain vigilant against any type of hate and vandalism.
Prabhnoor Kaur