No evidence of ‘hate crime’ or vandalism at Brampton’s Shri Bhagavad Gita Park

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Published October 3, 2022 at 10:27 am

Allegations of vandalism at a Brampton park have been nixed after a blank sign was mistaken for a supposed “hate crime.”

Pictures of a blank sign at the newly renamed Shri Bhagavad Gita Park in Brampton began circulating online last weekend.

Peel Regional Police say they received reports that the sign had been vandalised, and the High Commission of India went so far as to call the alleged incident a “hate crime” through its Twitter account.

But the City and police say the blank sign was not defaced or vandalised, but was in fact a placeholder while crews waited to install the permanent park name sign.

“There was no evidence of vandalism to the permanent sign or any park structure,” police said in a statement on Twitter. “It was a temporary park sign used in the park naming ceremony.”

The City officially renamed Brampton’s Troyers Park to Shri Bhagavad Gita Park with a ceremony on Sept. 27. Pictures from the event show a temporary sign stencilled with the park name.

Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown reportedly Tweeted about the alleged vandalism prior to the police investigation.

The City issued a statement from the Brampton Parks Department saying the blank sign was installed by the builder, and that the permanent Shri Bhagavad Gita Park sign would be installed on Monday.

“We are pleased to learn of this outcome,” the City said. “We thank the community for bringing this to our attention, and ensuring Brampton is a safe and inclusive place to call home.”

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