In Canada’s Vancouver, a well-known memorial named Komagata Maru Memorial’s walls were defaced with weird messages for the third time in a row between the years 2021-2023. The National Director of Khalsa Aid Canada shared the information of vandalism. The matter is under investigation with the Canadian authorities.
Reportedly, Canada’s Komagata Maru Memorial’s walls were defaced with messages regarding bitcoin. This has happened for the third time in last two years. The memorial honors 376 Indians, including Sikhs, Muslims and Hindus, who sailed to Canada from India in 1914, but were turned away by the country which left them stuck on the ship for two months in dire conditions. Messages like ‘No more Fiat build on Bitcoin’ were written on the wall while half part of it was erased by the authorities there.
Jindi Singh, National Director of Khalsa Aid Canada tweeted condemning the act. He said, “The Komagata Maru Memorial has been defaced again and human excrement can be seen nearby too. This is too much!” "I've just been sent these images.” He stated that this matter was brought to notice by a UK tourist who had come to visit the memorial.
Canada: Gauri Shankar Mandir defaced with 'anti-India' graffiti in Brampton, watch video
The Vancouver Police also reacted on the incident that took place. They responded to Jindi Singh’s tweet and stated, “We appreciate the heads up and we are actively investigating this incident," the Vancouver Police Department wrote in response to Singh's tweet. "Thank you very much for bringing this to our attention. It has been reported to the appropriate department."
In October 2022, Vancouver Police shared images of shattered glass on the memorial, saying that the damage was "intentional". In August 2021, white paint was splattered on the wall bearing the names of the victims, white handprints were also visible and '893 YK' had been written on it. Police had made one arrest seven months after the launch of the investigation.
I’ve just been sent these images. The Komagata Maru Memorial has been defaced again and human excrement can be seen nearby too.
— Jindi Singh KA (@jindisinghka) January 29, 2023
This is too much! @CityofVancouver @VancouverPD @PortVancouver #KomagataMaru pic.twitter.com/3FJwdI6Hy0