The Vancouver Police Department is hoping witnesses come forward after a Sikh temple was vandalized this past weekend.
Police have now released images in hopes of identifying the people involved.
The persons of interest were standing outside Khalsa Diwan Society Gurdwara on Ross Street when the temple was vandalized on Saturday morning. The following pictures show the two individuals.
VPD
“We believe these people may have information about this crime and what the motivation was,” says Sergeant Steve Addison in a media release.
VPD
“We ask anyone who recognizes the people in these pictures, or the vehicle, to come forward and speak with our investigators.”
Police have also released a picture of a vehicle they believe may have been involved.
VPD
VPD says they believe the truck was driving through the area between 4 and 4:30 a.m. when the vandalism occurred. It adds that the walls outside of the Gurdwara were spray-painted in both English and Punjabi.
“Two people, whom are believed to be associated to the truck, then walked near the front entrance of the temple. One person was wearing a yellow cap, yellow jacket and black pants. The other was wearing a grey hoodie with black pants,” VPD says.
Images and videos have also been shared on social media showing the vandalism near the entrance of the temple, with some claiming that it depicts pro-Khalistan graffiti.
Anyone with information is asked to call VPD’s Major Crime Section at 604-717-2541.
The Vancouver Sikh temple, designed by renowned architect Arthur Erickson, has been featured in various articles. It was designed in 1968 with Geoffrey Massey.
“The Khalsa Diwan Society has played a major role in social and economic development of the British Columbia for over a century. The society has been a pioneer in raising Sikhi-related issues and getting recognition for Sikhs in Canada. The Society plays a key role in the Komagata Maru affair in the early 1900s and other major events in B.C. and Canada,” the Khalsa Diwan Society says.