A Hindu temple in Canada’s British Columbia province was recently vandalized by extremist elements, with Khalistan referendum posters plastered on its gates in the late hours of Saturday. The incident at the BAPS Swaminarayan Temple in Surrey targeted the Indian community and was meant to create fear.
The posters, shared by Australia Today, read “Canada investigates the role of India in June 18th assassination” and featured a picture of Khalistan Tiger Force chief Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a designated terrorist who was killed in June. Viral videos show two masked men pasting the posters and taking photos before fleeing the scene.
This is not an isolated incident. Multiple Hindu temples in Canada have been attacked by Khalistani extremists in recent months. In April, the BAPS Swaminarayan temple in Windsor was vandalized with anti-India graffiti. In February, the Ram Mandir in Mississauga was defaced, prompting condemnation from the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
In January, the Gauri Shankar Mandir in Brampton was targeted, deeply hurting the sentiments of the Indian community. The Consulate General stated the act was in response to comments made against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
- VIDEO: Kanwadis create ruckus in Roorkee, rickshaw driver beaten up after collision
- UP: Firing in AMU campus, 2 employees injured, attacker caught by people
- VIDEO: Bulldozer action after Moharram riots, murder accused’s house demolished in Bareilly
- When DM sahab sent two poor girls in his car, the private school immediately gave them TC and also waived the fees
- The decision of Budget 2024 which will give a boost to the mobile-EV industry, prices may decrease
The vandalism in Surrey comes amid rising tensions between India and Canada over the Khalistan movement. India has been urging partner countries to not give space to “extremist Khalistani ideology”. The attack on the Newark temple in California in July was linked to the assassination conspiracy allegations against an Indian official.
Canadian authorities must take prompt action against the perpetrators and ensure the safety of Hindu places of worship. Targeting religious sites is unacceptable and only serves to divide communities. The Indian government has rightly condemned these incidents and demanded justice for the affected devotees.