Canada Takes Historic Step to Distinguish Sacred Swastika from Nazi Imagery.

Great Victory for Hindus: Canada Recognizes Swastika as Sacred Symbol, Distinguishes it from Nazi Hakenkreuz.

Hridya Bharti | HENB World Desk | New Delhi | Dec 13, 2025:: In a groundbreaking move, Canada’s government has taken a significant step towards recognizing and respecting the cultural and religious significance of the swastika symbol in Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism. The House of Commons Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights has unanimously agreed to amend Bill C-9, a federal anti-hate legislation, to clearly distinguish the sacred swastika from Nazi imagery.

A Long-Standing Misunderstanding Rectified

The original draft of Bill C-9 had sparked controversy among Hindu, Jain, and Buddhist communities, who objected to the phrase “Nazi swastika” being used to describe the Nazi emblem. They argued that this phrasing incorrectly associated their ancient, sacred symbol of good fortune with Hitler’s emblem of hate. After careful consideration, the committee has removed the term “swastika” from the English version of the bill, replacing it with the term “Nazi Hakenkreuz” (hooked cross).

A Victory for Cultural Understanding

The amendment is being hailed as a major victory for Dharmic communities across Canada. “This is a critical win and a vital precedent,” said representatives from the Hindu Canadian Foundation, the Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA), and the Canadian National Council of Hindus. Jewish organizations, including B’nai Brith Canada and the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, supported the clarification, noting that it respects Dharmic communities and strengthens the clarity of hate crime legislation.

What Does Bill C-9 Aim to Do?

Bill C-9 is designed to modernize Canada’s hate crime framework by:

– Creating new criminal offenses for intimidating or blocking access to places of worship, schools, and community centers
– Introducing specific hate-motivated offenses to ensure courts can assign appropriate sentencing
– Criminalizing the wilful public display of certain terrorism or hate symbols, such as the Nazi Hakenkreuz and SS bolts, when used to incite hatred

A Milestone for Cultural Understanding

The amendment to Bill C-9 is being celebrated as a milestone in acknowledging the cultural and religious significance of the swastika symbol for millions around the world. As the bill continues through Parliament, advocates hope this clarification will set a lasting precedent for how governments and institutions handle culturally sensitive symbols in legislation.

Must Read: Swastika Education & Awareness Campaign (SEAC) by CoHNA

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_Agency Inputs.
Courtesy: AKTK Documentary & CoHNA.
_Illustrations: Amish Tripathi.