Thousands of Canadian Hindus gathered outside the Hindu Sabha temple in Brampton on Monday night, marching in solidarity after an attack on the temple by pro-Khalistani activists. The demonstration, organized by the Coalition of Hindus in North America (CoHNA), came as a response to the temple’s vandalization on Diwali weekend, an incident that has intensified concerns within Canada’s Hindu community regarding safety and religious tolerance.
CoHNA highlighted the increasing frequency of attacks on Hindu places of worship, tweeting, “Over a thousand Canadian Hindus have gathered in Brampton to protest against the increasingly brazen attacks on Hindu temples. We ask Canada to stop this Hinduphobia now.” The demonstration saw participants waving Indian and Canadian flags, with slogans like “Jai Shri Ram” and calls against Khalistani extremism echoing through the crowd. Attendees expressed fears that discrimination against Hindus in Canada has been escalating over the past two decades. “Hindu Canadians are very loyal to Canada. What is happening to Hindu Canadians is not right,” one protester told ANI, urging Canada’s politicians to recognize and address these concerns.
The march was triggered by a disturbing incident on Sunday, when a group of individuals carrying Khalistani flags clashed with temple devotees at the Hindu Sabha temple. Videos circulated widely on social media show protesters wielding pro-Khalistan banners and flags. The Peel Regional Police have since arrested three people, with charges including assault with a weapon and assaulting a police officer.
The attack prompted a response from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who strongly condemned the incident and called on Canada to “ensure justice and uphold the rule of law.” In his statement, he emphasized that such acts of violence would not weaken India’s resolve against extremism, and he urged the Canadian government to protect Hindu sites and personnel in the country.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also condemned the attack, stating that all Canadians have the right to practice their faith freely and safely. However, Trudeau faced criticism for not directly condemning “Khalistani extremism,” which many Canadians and Indians believe has been allowed to operate unchecked. This criticism comes amid strained relations between Canada and India following Trudeau’s statement in September 2023, which alleged that Indian agents were involved in the killing of Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
The tension between the two nations has escalated, with India labeling Nijjar a terrorist linked to violent activities, including a 2007 bombing in Punjab. Despite India’s requests, Canada has not taken action against pro-Khalistan elements within its borders, and rallies and referendums in support of Khalistan have continued unabated. As Canadian Hindus rally for greater security and recognition, the incident underscores the growing complexities in India-Canada relations, with religious tolerance and extremism at the forefront of the debate.
