Chandra Arya / ourcommons.ca

Canada’s Member of Parliament, Chandra Arya sought action against Khalistani supporters for trying to attack Sikhs and Hindus in the North American country. Arya appealed for the same with a post on X, formerly Twitter, by sharing a video of a Khalistani supporter threatening to cause disturbances at the Laxmi Narayan temple in Surrey on November 26.

Arya’s post on X reads, “Last week Khalistan supporters verbally abused a Sikh family outside a Sikh Gurdwara in Surrey, BC, according to some reports. Now it appears the same Khalistan group want to create trouble at the Hindu Laxmi Narayan Mandir in Surrey. All these are being done in the name of freedom of speech and expression. Like a broken record, I am again asking Canadian authorities to step in and take action.”

He continued, “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.”

There has been a surge in attacks against Hindu temples in Canada as well as threats against Hindu Canadians. At least six Hindu temples have been reportedly broken into in the province of Ontario since September.

Additionally, Khalistani group Sikhs for Justice’s general counsel Gurpatwant Singh Pannun released a video in September where he called upon the Hindus living in Canada to “Leave Canada – Go to India,” adding that some in the community were working to protect and promote the interests of India while enjoying economic benefits from Canada. 

The recent threat to the Hindu temple in Surrey comes days after India recommended Canada take action to stop attacks on places of worship of religious minorities at the recent United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) review meeting in Geneva.

“In the spirit of constructive dialogue, India recommends the following to Canada. One, further strengthen the domestic framework to prevent misuse of freedom of expression, for inciting violence, and disallow activities of groups which are promoting extremism. Two, effectively prevent attacks on places of worship of religious and racial minorities, strengthen legislative and other measures to address hate crimes and hate speech,” KS Mohammed Hussain, First Secretary, Permanent Mission of India, said in the meeting.

Last week Khalistan supporters verbally abused a Sikh family outside a Sikh Gurdwara in Surrey BC according to some reports.
Now it appears the same Khalistan group want to create trouble at the Hindu Laxmi Narayan Mandir in Surrey.
All these are being done in the name of… https://t.co/szTznICBo0

— Chandra Arya (@AryaCanada) November 20, 2023