A 36-year-old Toronto man has been charged with assault following a suspected hate-motivated attack against a Muslim woman on a Durham Region Transit bus earlier this year.
Incident Details
Toronto Police reported that on April 13, a man approached a woman on a bus in the Progress-Milner Avenues area, north of Highway 401 in Scarborough, and allegedly made derogatory and anti-Muslim comments toward her. The victim was then assaulted, sustaining minor injuries. The suspect, who was not known to the victim, fled the bus.
Video Evidence
The incident was captured on video and shared by the National Council of Canadian Muslims. The footage shows a man yelling profanities and stomping near the legs of the woman recording, who was wearing a hijab. The woman is heard responding, "You need to learn that if you can't respect people, you sit quietly. If you can't sit quietly, then get off the bus."
Charges Filed
Thirukumaran Kandasamy was arrested on Wednesday and charged with assault and criminal harassment. The allegations have not been tested in court. Police urge anyone with information to contact them at 416-808-3506 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-8477 or 222tips.com.
