- Another Hindu temple has been vandalised in Canada with anti-India graffiti painted on the walls.
- Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) in Canada condemned the act and called on the government to take decisive action against extremist ideologies.
- Khalistani extremists have been promoting hate and violence with little consequence.
- The anti-India activities by Khalistan supporters have intensified since the death of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June last year.
- In recent years, several Hindu temples in Canada, including those in the Greater Toronto Area and British Columbia, have been defaced with hateful graffiti.
- The ongoing vandalism of Hindu temples underscores the pressing need for Canadian authorities to address the growing extremism and ensure the safety and security of all communities in the country.
A Hindu temple in Edmonton, Canada, was vandalized with anti-India graffiti on Tuesday morning. The BAPS Swaminarayan Temple was targeted, raising concerns among Hindu-Canadians about growing hate crimes. Chandra Arya, an India-origin Canadian MP from Nepean, expressed the community’s worries, highlighting the increasing attacks on Hindu places of worship.
Following the incident, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) in Canada condemned the act and called on the government to take decisive action against extremist ideologies. They emphasized the need to protect the peace-loving Hindu community in the country. The VHP’s statement urged all levels of the Canadian government to address the rising hate and violence fueled by extremist groups.
Arya pointed out that Khalistani extremists have been promoting hate and violence with little consequence. The anti-India activities by Khalistan supporters have intensified since the death of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June last year. Arya, a Liberal MP known for his advocacy on multicultural issues, reiterated the need for Canadian law enforcement to take these threats seriously before they escalate into physical violence against Hindu-Canadians.
In recent years, several Hindu temples in Canada, including those in the Greater Toronto Area and British Columbia, have been defaced with hateful graffiti. Arya highlighted that figures like Gurpatwant Singh Pannun of Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) have openly called for Hindus to leave Canada and have celebrated the assassination of former Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
This incident at the BAPS Swaminarayan Temple in Edmonton adds to a series of similar attacks on Hindu temples in Canada. In 2023, a temple in Windsor was defaced with anti-India graffiti, leading to widespread condemnation and calls for action from both Canadian and Indian officials. Previous attacks in Mississauga and Brampton also drew strong reactions from the Indian community in Canada, emphasizing the urgent need for action against such hate crimes.
The ongoing vandalism of Hindu temples underscores the pressing need for Canadian authorities to address the growing extremism and ensure the safety and security of all communities in the country.
(With inputs from agencies)
