Hinduphobia in Canada: Hindu Temple Vandalised
BAPS Swaminarayan Hindu temple in Edmonton, Canada, was vandalised, with its walls painted with hateful graffiti amid rising Hinduphobia in Canada.
The temple suffered defacement, featuring slurs that threatened Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Indian-origin Canadian MP Chandra Arya.
As of now, there has been no response from BAPS – the Bochasanwasi Aksharpurushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha, which manages the temple. Furthermore, there are currently no reports of any official measures being taken in response to the vandalism that occurred on Monday morning.
Arya took to social media X to mention the incident and wrote, “The Hindu temple BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir in Edmonton is vandalised again. During the last few years, Hindu temples in Greater Toronto Area, British Columbia and other places in Canada are being vandalised with hateful graffiti.”
Recalling past violent actions by the Khalistanis against Hindus, he said, “Gurpatwant Singh Pannun of Sikhs for Justice last year publicly called for Hindus to go back to India. Khalistan supporters publicly celebrated in Brampton and Vancouver the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and brandishing images of deadly weapons.”
The Hindu MP raised his voice against rising incidents of Hinduphobic activities. “As I have always been saying, Khalistani extremists seems to get away with ease with their public rhetoric of hate and violence. Again, let me put on record. Hindu-Canadians are legitimately concerned,” he wrote.
Urging the authorities to take strict action, he wrote, “Like a broken record, I again call on Canadian law enforcement agencies to take this issue seriously before these rhetorics get translated into physical action against Hindu-Canadians.”
The Hindu temple BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir in Edmonton is vandalized again. During the last few years, Hindu temples in Greater Toronto Area, British Columbia and other places in Canada are being vandalized with hateful graffiti.Gurpatwant Singh Pannun of Sikhs for Justice last… pic.twitter.com/G0a8ozrrHX
— Chandra Arya (@AryaCanada) July 23, 2024
The Consulate General of India in Vancouver also made a post on X: “We condemn the defacing of BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in #Edmonton with anti-India graffiti. We have requested the Canadian authorities to investigate the incident and take prompt action against the perpetrators.”
We condemn the defacing of BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in #Edmonton with anti-India graffiti. We have requested the Canadian authorities to investigate the incident and take prompt action against the perpetrators.@HCI_Ottawa @GAC_Corporate @BAPS @MEAIndia @IndiainToronto
— India in Vancouver (@cgivancouver) July 22, 2024
“Earlier today, the Edmonton BAPS Mandir was vandalised with paint, displaying hateful rhetoric on the walls of what should be a place of refuge. Hate has no part in Canada – much less in places of worship & prayer. This incident is wrong & goes against the values of our city,” said Randy Boissonnault, Canada MP.
The Canadian Hindu Chamber of Commerce CHCC urged the Canadian government and local authorities to take immediate and effective measures to combat Hinduphobia and protect religious institutions and communities from such acts of violence and intolerance, the statement said and called for united efforts.
It condemned the “senseless act of hate” and the “rising tide of Hinduphobia” across Canada and said, “These incidents are deeply troubling and have no place in our multicultural and inclusive society.”
The incident has drawn condemnation from Hindu bodies in Canada.
The Vishva Hindu Parishad-Canada condemned the incident and urged the government in Canada to take strict action.
“VHP Canada strongly denounces Hinduphobic graffiti & vandalism at BAPS Mandir in Edmonton. We urge all levels of Government in Canada to act decisively against the growing extremist ideology propelling hate against peace loving Hindu community in our country,” the Hindu body wrote on X.
VHP Canada strongly denounces Hinduphobic graffiti & vandalism at BAPS Mandir in Edmonton. We urge all levels of Government in Canada to act decisively against the growing extremist ideology propelling hate against peace loving Hindu community in our country. @JustinTrudeau… pic.twitter.com/N1zGpzGULM
— VHP Canada (@vhpcanada) July 22, 2024
In the previous year, there were a minimum of three instances of attacks on Hindu temples in locations such as Mississauga, Brampton, and Windsor. Additionally, there were sightings of Khalistani referendum posters that contained implicit threats directed at Hindus.
The recent act of vandalism at a temple in Edmonton has elicited strong responses from various sectors, including elected officials.
