Canada Gurdwara vandalized with racist graffiti, WSO condemns the act
Vancouver, November 20, 2018 :
Sikhs of Canada have strongly resented against a racist act happened in Kelowna city of BC on Monday .Sikh temple Gurdwara Guru Amardas Darbar Sikh Society situated on Davie Road has been vandalized with racist graffiti. Black paint was found sprayed onto a wall near the parking lot.Quoting Police Global News has reported that they’re still in the initial stages of the investigation but believe the vandalism happened overnight. Anyone with information is asked to contact RCMP at 250-762-3300.
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Location of Kelowana through Google Maps
The World Sikh Organization of Canada has condemned the racist vandalism of the Kelowna, B.C. The racist graffiti was discovered on Monday.
The WSO said it had been in contact with members of the Guru Amardas Darbar Sikh Society gurdwara, including President Tarsem Singh, and offered support and assistance in dealing with this incident.
The gurdwara was targeted once in the past with vandalism; however, police were not contacted at that time.
WSO’s Vice President for B.C., Amanpreet Singh Hundal, also a Kelowna resident, said, “It is disappointing that these sorts of incidents continue to take place. We believe it is ignorance and fear that drives racism and the Sikh community will continue to reach out to educate and build bridges despite incidents like this. Local gurdwaras in Kelowna regularly host high school students for tours and information sessions on the Sikh faith and those will continue. Whoever vandalized the gurdwara would have been better served to actually learn more about Sikh community by going inside the gurdwara to ask questions and enjoying the free meal available to all visitors. Kelowna is our home and racist incidents like this won’t faze us.”
The WSO has asked community members to remain vigilant and to report any suspicious activity around gurdwaras to the Kelowna RCMP at 250-762-3300.