Our Bureau
Toronto
Pro-Khalistani activists have recently intensified their targeting of Canadian Hindus, culminating in a disturbing incident during the India Day Parade in Toronto. This event held on Sunday, was celebrating India’s Independence Day and was marred by a protest from pro-Khalistan groups who shouted slogans demanding that Canadian Hindus “go back to India.” This demonstration was part of a broader rally that included calls for a confrontation between “Khalistan Sikhs” and “Canadian Hindus,” highlighting a concerning trend of rising Hinduphobia in Canada.
The protest has drawn widespread condemnation from various Indo-Canadian community organizations. The Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA) Canada unit criticized the incident as a blatant display of intolerance that persists unchallenged in the country. They pointed out that similar protests have disrupted Hindu festivals and memorial services in the past, with Khalistani activists using the pretext of political speech against India to target ordinary Canadians of Hindu faith. CoHNA emphasized that if such rhetoric were directed against any other community, it would prompt immediate condemnation from political leaders.
Recently, Canadian MP Chandra Arya also responded to the threats made by pro-Khalistani figure Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, who demanded that Arya and his Hindu-Canadian friends abandon their citizenship and return to India. Arya countered Pannun’s claims by asserting that Canada is home to Hindus from various parts of the world and that they have significantly contributed to the country’s multicultural fabric. He criticized the Khalistani extremists for abusing the freedom guaranteed by the Canadian Charter of Rights.
The vandalism of Hindu temples in Canada, including a recent attack on the BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir in Edmonton, has further escalated tensions. Such acts of violence against places of worship are part of a troubling pattern, with previous incidents included the defacement of a Hindu temple in Windsor. These attacks have prompted calls for action from both Canadian and Indian officials, with community leaders urging the government to take a firmer stance against hate crimes targeting Hindus.
In light of these developments, community groups like the Canadian Hindu Volunteers have called for immediate action from authorities to address the growing threat posed by extremist groups. As tensions continue to rise, the situation remains precarious for Hindu Canadians, who are now faced with the dual challenge of advocating for their rights while navigating a landscape increasingly marked by hostility from radical elements.
