The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) Canada has strongly condemned the recent Hinduphobic graffiti and vandalism at the BAPS Mandir in Edmonton.
In a statement released today on X, the organisation urged all levels of government in Canada to take decisive action against the growing extremist ideology fuelling hate against the peace-loving Hindu community in the country.
The Canadian Hindu Chamber of Commerce confirmed that the BAPS temple in Edmonton became the latest Hindu temple targeted for an attack early this morning.
“We are outraged by this latest incident that mirrors several previous attacks—many blamed on pro-Khalistan activists,” the Hindu American Foundation stated.
The temple was defaced with slurs threatening Chandra Arya, one of the few Hindu Members of the Canadian House of Commons.
The Hindu American Foundation added:
“Canadian authorities, including the RCMP Alberta and the Canadian Security Intelligence Service, must immediately investigate this vandalism of another Hindu temple and the implied threat to a sitting MP. They must also remain vigilant as the upcoming ‘Khalistan referendum’ in Calgary, sponsored by Sikhs for Justice, carries the potential for more strife in the region.”
Chandra Arya MP has been vocal in condemning all forms of violence including Khalistan supporters’ public celebration of assassination of former Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi by her bodyguards. He has even called on law enforcement agencies in Canada to take immediate action against Khalistan supporters.
“This is continuation of threats with a similar float in Brampton couple of years back and few months back Pannu of Sikhs for Justice asking Hindus to go back to India,” he stated on X.
Chandra Arya has also highlighted how Hindu temples have remained targets for attacks over the past years.
“Hindu temples have been attacked many times during the last couple of years. Hate crimes are being committed against Hindu-Canadians. Allowing these things to continue to be done openly and publicly is not acceptable,” Arya observed.
On the present vandalising of Hindu temple with hateful graffiti, Chandra Arya said in a statement:
“Gurpatwant Singh Pannun of Sikhs for Justice last year publicly called for Hindus to go back to India…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.”
India’s Consul General in Vancouver, BC, has condemned the defacing of the Hindu temple: and “requested the Canadian authorities to investigate the incident and take prompt action against the perpetrators.”
The VHP Canada and Hindu American Foundation have also highlighted an ongoing pattern of attacks against Hindu temples and communities.
Earlier this year, several US Congress members, including Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, Shri Thanedar, Ro Khanna, Pramila Jayapal, and Ami Bera, signed a joint letter requesting a briefing from the US Civil Rights Division on the status of similar temple attacks in the United States.
The VHP Canada calls on Canadian authorities to take immediate and effective action to protect the Hindu community and ensure such hate-driven incidents do not recur.
Last year in June, the walls of BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir in Melbourne’s northern suburb of Mill Park were painted with “Hindu-stan Murdabad” (death to Hindu-place). Then, BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir provide a statement to The Australia Today, “We are deeply saddened and shocked by these acts of vandalism and hate.” Hindu community leaders across Australia stood with the BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir community and condemned the attack.
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