Toronto man charged in Islamophobic attack on a Durham bus

A Toronto man faces charges in connection with an attack of a woman travelling between Scarborough and Ajax on a Durham Transit bus.

A man shouted several derogatory and anti-Muslim comments on the bus and then kicked her on April 13.

The attack was captured on video.

The National Council of Canadian Muslims, which posted the video, said they were “outraged” and said violent Islamophobia continues to be on the rise.

“The fact that it constantly occurs in broad daylight in public spaces should send alarms to all levels of government, given Canada’s dark history with violent Islamophobia,” the council said on X.

Toronto Police said the man left the bus. The man and woman did not know each other, police said.

The woman had minor injuries, police added.

Police said they charged one person in connection with the assault.

On Wednesday, June 17, Thirukumaran Kandasamy, 36, of Toronto, was arrested and charged with assault and criminal harassment.

He is scheduled to appear in court on Aug. 6.

Anyone with information on this incident is asked to contact police at 416-808-3506, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), or at www.222tips.com.

When suspected hate-motivated offences are reported to police, the investigation is led by the Hate Crime Unit, Toronto Police said.

If it is alleged a criminal offence was committed (such as assault or mischief) and it is believed to have been motivated by bias, prejudice or hate, the officer-in-charge may consult with the Crown. If a person is charged and convicted of the offence, the Judge will take hate as an aggravating factor into consideration when imposing a sentence.

Wilful promotion of hatred and advocating genocide are hate propaganda (hate speech) offences which require the Attorney General’s consent to lay charges. These charges are often laid at a later time.

We are outraged by a recent incident of Islamophobia that occurred on the Durham Transit. A hijabi women travelling between Scarborough and Ajax was allegedly both verbally and physically assaulted.

A man allegedly began yelling at her telling her to “f*** off, “b****, don’t sit… pic.twitter.com/EgAlXbKWv2

— NCCM (@nccm) April 15, 2026