The BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir, a Hindu temple in Edmonton, Canada, has been vandalized with ‘anti-India’ graffiti, marking the latest in a series of attacks on Hindu temples across the country. The defacing included slurs threatening Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Canadian MP Chandra Arya.
Expressing his deep concern about the growing trend, Canadian MP Chandra Arya took to X (formerly Twitter) to highlight the incident. “The Hindu temple BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir in Edmonton is vandalized again. During the last few years, Hindu temples in the Greater Toronto Area, British Columbia and other places in Canada are being vandalized with hateful graffiti,” he wrote.
Arya explicitly linked the attacks to Khalistani elements, citing Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the leader of Sikhs for Justice, who publicly called for Hindus to return to India last year. He further pointed to Khalistan supporters openly celebrating the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and displaying images of weapons in Brampton and Vancouver.
“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,” Arya expressed, emphasizing the growing anxiety among Hindu-Canadians.
He demanded strict action against the extremists, urging Canadian law enforcement agencies to prioritize the issue. “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,” he stated.
The incident triggered widespread condemnation, with the Indian Consulate in Vancouver issuing a statement condemning the defacing of the temple and demanding a thorough investigation and swift 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,” the Consulate tweeted.
The Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) in Canada also denounced the incident and urged the Justin Trudeau government to act decisively against the growing extremism targeting the Hindu community. “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 organization posted on X.
The Hindu American Association echoed the outrage, calling the incident a reflection of previous attacks, many blamed on pro-Khalistan activists. “We are outraged by this latest incident that mirrors several previous attacks—many blamed on pro-Khalistan activists. Canadian authorities must immediately investigate this vandalism of another Hindu temple & implied threat to a sitting M.P., and remain vigilant as the upcoming “Khalistan referendum” in Calgary sponsored by Sikhs for Justice carries the potential of more strife in the region,” the Hindu American Association stated.
The incident has highlighted the growing concerns of Hindu-Canadians about escalating attacks and hate speech directed at their community. The call for action from various organizations and the Canadian MP underscores the need for swift and decisive action to address the growing threat of extremism and ensure the safety and security of Hindu communities in Canada.
