Canadian MP Criticizes Khalistani Extremists After Hindu Temple Vandalized in Edmonton

Canadian MP Chandra Arya condemns Khalistani extremists for “polluting” Canada, following the vandalism of a Hindu temple in Edmonton amidst rising Hinduphobia.

Key Points

• Canadian MP Chandra Arya condemned Khalistani extremists for “polluting” Canada after a Hindu temple in Edmonton was vandalized.
• The BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir was defaced with anti-India graffiti, contributing to rising Hinduphobia in Canada.
• Arya, an MP from Nepean, faced backlash from separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, who demanded Arya and his Hindu-Canadian friends return to India.
• Arya emphasized the positive contributions of Hindus to Canada and condemned the abuse of freedoms by extremists.
• The incident and Arya’s comments come amid strained Canada-India relations following the killing of Khalistani extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

In a powerful statement, Canadian MP Chandra Arya criticized Khalistani extremists for “polluting” Canada after the BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir in Edmonton was vandalized. The incident, which occurred on Monday, involved hateful and anti-India graffiti, highlighting the rising Hinduphobia in the country.

Arya, who represents Nepean in the House of Commons, condemned the act of vandalism on his X account and pointed out the abuse of freedoms guaranteed under the Canadian Charter of Rights by Khalistani extremists. His comments were in response to a video released by separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun of Sikhs for Justice, who demanded that Arya and his Hindu-Canadian friends go back to India after Arya spoke out against the vandalism and other acts of hate by Khalistan supporters in Canada.

“We Hindus have come to our wonderful country Canada from all parts of the world. From every country in South Asia, many countries in Africa and the Caribbean, and many other parts of the world, we have come here and Canada is our land,” Arya, a member of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Liberal Party, wrote. He highlighted the significant contributions of Hindus to Canada’s socio-economic development and the enrichment of its multicultural fabric.

Arya’s statement comes amid ongoing tensions between India and Canada following the killing of Khalistan extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Surrey, British Columbia, last June. Relations between the two countries further deteriorated after Trudeau’s allegations in September of potential involvement of Indian agents in Nijjar’s killing.

The condemnation from Arya reflects the growing concern among Canadian Hindus regarding their safety and the impact of extremist activities on the country’s multicultural harmony. The vandalism of the temple and Arya’s subsequent response underscore the need for addressing hate and ensuring the protection of all communities in Canada.