BAPS Hindu temple vandalised in Canada. Huge protests from various corners.

 

Hindu Temple Vandalised, Defaced With Hateful Graffiti In Canada’s Edmonton, Religious Bodies ‘Outraged’.

Sumedha Saxena | HENB | New Delhi | July 24, 2024:: A Hindu temple in Canada’s Edmonton was vandalised, with hateful graffiti painted on its walls. The temple was defaced with slurs threatening Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Indian-origin Canadian MP Chandra Arya.

Arya took to the social media platform X to report the incident and wrote, “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.” 

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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

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He recalled incidents from the past involving Khalistani separatists and violence against Hindus and 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.”

Read also: ‘Our Land Being Polluted By Khalistani Extremists’says, Canadian MP Condemns Vandalism Of Hindu Temple

The Hindu MP expressed concern about the rising incidents of Hinduphobic activites. “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 concerned 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.

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I am deeply saddened to learn that the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Edmonton was vandalized today.

Defacing a place of worship is a repulsive act that goes against Canadian values of tolerance and respect. This act of hate is completely unacceptable.

My thoughts are with… pic.twitter.com/tIrjD48Ql6

— Terry Duguid (@TerryDuguid) July 22, 2024

Another MP, Terry Duguid from Winnipeg South and the Parliamentary Secretary to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in a post on X: “I am deeply saddened to learn that the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Edmonton was vandalized today. Defacing a place of worship is a repulsive act that goes against Canadian values of tolerance and respect. This act of hate is completely unacceptable.” “My thoughts are with the community in Edmonton and indeed across Canada. Here in Winnipeg, I have seen firsthand the incredible contributions of the BAPS community. Their dedication to charitable work and community service is truly inspiring,” he added in a post on X.  

Global Hindu Bodies Outraged

The incident has drawn condemnation from Hindu bodies in Canada and other foreign countries.

The Vishva Hindu Parishad-Canada denounced 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. @JustinTrudeau… pic.twitter.com/N1zGpzGULM

— VHP Canada (@vhpcanada) July 22, 2024

“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.

The Hindu American Association also took to social media saying the organisation was “outraged” by the incident.

A statement from the Canadian Hindu Chamber of Commerce (CHCC), dedicated to promoting the interests of the Hindu business community in Canada, said, “The act of vandalism is not only an attack on a physical structure but also an affront to the sentiments of the Hindu community and the principles of respect and tolerance that our society holds dear.” 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.” 

‘Take steps to combat Hinduphobia’The 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.Last year, there were at least three incidents of attacks on Hindu temples, including at Mississauga, Brampton and Windsor, and some saw Khalistani referendum posters with veiled threats to Hindus.

The @chcconline is confirming that the @BAPS temple in Edmonton, Canada became the latest Hindu temple targeted for an attack early this morning. The temple was defaced with slurs threatening @AryaCanada, one of a few Hindu Members of the Canadian House of Commons.

We are… pic.twitter.com/wH3zGWwbon

— Hindu American Foundation (@HinduAmerican) July 22, 2024

Meanwhile, the Hindu American Foundation too came out with a strong statement and quoted the Canadian Hindu Chamber of Commerce (CHCC) for confirming that the BAPS temple in Edmonton “was defaced with slurs threatening @AryaCanada, one of a few Hindu Members of the Canadian House of Commons.” “We are outraged by this latest incident that mirrors several previous attacks—many blamed on pro-Khalistan activists. Canadian authorities @RCMPAlberta, @csiscanada must immediately investigate this vandalism of another Hindu temple & implied threat to a sitting MP, and remain vigilant as the upcoming ‘Khalistan referendum’ in Calgary sponsored by Sikhs for Justice carries the potential of more strife in the region,” it added in the post on X.

__Inputs from PTI, News 18 and ABP Live.