VANCOUVER — It appears someone used a power tool to saw off the head on a bronze statue of Mahatma Gandhi at Simon Fraser University on Monday night.
Burnaby RCMP were called around 8:30 p.m. after someone noticed the “deliberate act of vandalism” in SFU’s Peace Square, and investigators are looking for witnesses and surveillance video.
“It is not yet known when the vandalism happened,” said Cpl. Mike Kalanj in a news release, but “it’s believed a power tool was likely used.”
“Burnaby RCMP is aware that Gandhi statues have been damaged in other areas of sa国际传媒 in the past,” said Kalanj. “Police are looking at all aspects of this incident, including the possible motivation.”
The Indian consulate in Vancouver condemned the act. “We strongly condemn [the] heinous crime of vandalizing the statue of harbinger of peace Mahatma Gandhi at SFU Burnaby campus,” the consulate general wrote on Twitter.
“The Canadian authorities are urged to investigate the matter urgently and bring the perpetrators to justice.”
A statue of Gandhi was spray-painted with graffiti promoting an independent Khalistan in Hamilton several days ago. In a similar incident last July, a statue was defaced in Richmond Hill, Ont.
Witnesses or those with information are asked to call Burnaby RCMP at 604-646-9999.
Burnaby RCMP launched an investigation after a bronze statue of Mahatma Gandhi located at SFU was significantly damaged in what appears to be an act of vandalism. It is not yet known when the vandalism happened. It’s believed a power tool was likely used. Burnaby RCMP say they’re…
— Sarbraj Singh Kahlon (@sarbrajskahlon)
