Canadian journalist Daniel Bordman says Hindu temple "vandalised" for third time by Khalistanis
British Columbia: Canadian journalist Daniel Bordman has claimed that a Hindu temple in Surrey, British Columbia, was "vandalised" for the third time on Sunday night.
In a post on X on Monday, Bordman shared a video from outside the temple, detailing the incident. He claimed that two suspects graffitied the temple walls and stole a security camera around 3 am.
"I went to the Lakshmi Mandir in Surrey that was vandalized last night by Khalistanis. This is the 3rd time it has been vandalized. I spoke to management and the devotees and they do not feel like the police or the political establishment cares at all," Bordman wrote in his post.
The Canadian journalist described the situation as upsetting for the local Hindu community, who, he said, feel unsupported by both the police and political leaders.
"I spoke to the management, and they said that at 3 am, two people came and graffitied the whole place and stole one of the video cameras," Bordman could be heard saying in the video. "The community is upset, and they also don't feel like that political class is going to do anything, and they don't feel like the police are on their side," he added.
Bordman also reported another incident of defacement at the Ross Gurudwara in Vancouver.
Meanwhile, the Canadian Hindu Chamber of Commerce condemned the alleged vandalism at the Laxmi Narayan Mandir in British Columbia.
"We strongly condemn the vandalism of Laxmi Narayan Mandir in BC by Khalistani extremists. This act of #Hinduphobia has no place in Canada. We urge swift action & ask all Canadians to stand united against hate. Silence is not an option.#CHCC #StopHinduphobia," the Canadian Hindu Chamber of Commerce, wrote in a post on X.
Earlier on Sunday (local time), Canadian Member of Parliament from Ottawa Nepean, Chandra Arya urged Hindu and Sikh communities in Canada to "rise with urgency" and demand "decisive" government action against Khalistani extremists following multiple incidents of defacement of religious sites.
Arya said that the graffiti on the walls of the temple is "chilling reminder" of "growing influence" of Khalistani extremism.
"The attacks on Hindu temples that began several years ago continue unabated today -- this latest graffiti on the Hindu temple is yet another chilling reminder of the growing influence of Khalistani extremism. Well-organized, well-funded, and backed by significant political clout, Khalistani elements are brazenly asserting their dominance and successfully silencing Hindu voices across Canada," the Indian-origin Canadian MP wrote in his post on X.
Referring to the defacing of the Gurudwara, Arya noted that extremist groups were also targeting Sikh institutions.
"This Khalistani extremists have targeted Khalsa Diwan Society (Ross Street Gurdwara) in Vancouver with pro-Khalistan graffiti and intimidation tactics. In a statement issued after the desecration, KDS said that a small group of Sikh separatists, advocating for Khalistan, defaced our sacred walls with divisive slogans like 'Khalistan Zindabad'," he wrote.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Observer
3 days ago
- Observer
The top sources of U.S. steel and aluminium imports
The U.S. tariff rate on most imported steel and aluminum doubled on Wednesday as President Donald Trump ratcheted up a global trade war. Here's a summary of the major trade partners it will affect. STEEL: Roughly a quarter of all steel used in the U.S. is imported, the bulk of it from neighbours Mexico and Canada or close allies in Asia and Europe such as Japan, South Korea and Germany. While China is the world's largest steel producer and exporter, it sends very little to the United States. Tariffs of 25% imposed in 2018 shut most Chinese steel out of the market. China exported 508,000 net tons of steel to the U.S. last year or 1.8% of total American steel imports. ALUMINUM: For aluminum, the U.S. is more heavily reliant on imports. Roughly half of all aluminum used in the U.S. is imported, with the vast majority coming from Canada. At 3.2 million tons last year, Canadian imports were twice those of the next nine countries combined. The next largest sources of imports are the United Arab Emirates and China, at 347,034 and 222,872 metric tons, respectively. The U.S. aluminum smelting industry is small by global standards. Total smelter capacity in the country was just 1.73% of the global total according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
Observer
22-05-2025
- Observer
G7 draft pledges tackling ‘excessive imbalances'
Talks among G7 finance ministers faced challenges as the group worked to overcome divides on thorny issues like the impact of US President Donald Trump's tariffs and support for Ukraine. Finance ministers and central bank governors from the Group of Seven nations pledged to address 'excessive imbalances' in the global economy, Bloomberg News reported on Thursday, citing a draft communique. The finance leaders said there was a need for a common understanding of how 'non-market policies and practices' undermine international economic security, Bloomberg News reported. The draft communique calls for an analysis of 'market concentration and international supply chain resilience,' the report said. The leaders said they agreed 'on the importance of a level playing field and taking a broadly coordinated approach to address the harm caused by those who do not abide by the same rules and lack transparency,' the report said. The report said the draft did not name China but it recognised an increase in what it called international low-value shipments, also referred to as 'de minimis' packages, typically from Chinese retailers such as Temu and Shein. The G7 nations will consider options to increase sanctions on Russia if a ceasefire with Ukraine is not reached, the report said. Finance leaders from G7 countries - the US, UK, Canada, France, Germany, Italy and Japan - are meeting in Banff, Canada. The remarks reported may be part of a final communique being prepared to summarise three days of meetings among officials from the G7 countries. The day began with an exchange of pleasantries and the traditional group photo in front of snow-capped mountains at a hotel in western Canada's Banff National Park. But friction among the group -- comprising Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States — emerged shortly after meetings began. Italian Finance Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti said the start of the talks faced 'some difficulties.' But he added that the group was 'able to overcome these differences,' and voiced hope a final statement reflecting G7 unity could be reached. Few concrete details emerged from Wednesday's talks but US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent had been expected to face pushback on Trump's tariffs, which threaten to drag down global economic growth. Bessent described Wednesday's talks as 'very productive.' The meeting's host, Canadian Finance Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne, declined to say whether he raised the issue of tariffs in his bilateral meeting with Bessent, but insisted the pair 'get along very well.' Asked about friction in the talks, Champagne said: 'That's why we have meetings, we have frank discussions.' 'We're both pleased about the progress we're making and the sense of unity of the G7,' Champagne told reporters. Japanese Finance Minister Katsunobu Kato told reporters that during his meeting with Bessent, he affirmed that US tariffs were 'extremely regrettable' and 'not always an appropriate measure to adjust trade imbalances.' — Agencies
Observer
12-05-2025
- Observer
Indian army reports 'first calm night' after Kashmir
Poonch - The frontier between arch-foes India and Pakistan was peaceful and had the "first calm night in recent days", the Indian army said Monday, after a surprise weekend ceasefire. The truce was agreed to on Saturday after four days of missile, drone, and artillery attacks between the two countries, which killed at least 60 people and sent thousands fleeing. It was the worst violence since the nuclear-armed rivals' last open conflict in 1999 and sent global shudders that it could spiral into full-blown war. There were initial doubts as the two sides accused each other of breaching the ceasefire just hours after it was unexpectedly announced by US President Donald Trump on social media. "The night remained largely peaceful across... Kashmir and other areas along the international border," the Indian army said. "No incidents have been reported, marking the first calm night in recent days," the statement added. It was also the second straight night without gunfire or shelling at Poonch, the frontier town in the part of divided Kashmir administered by India. Poonch was one of the worst-hit regions in the latest conflict, with at least 12 residents killed and most of the estimated 60,000 residents fleeing their homes. On Sunday, people started trickling back to the town, although many remained worried that the ceasefire would not last. The alarming spiral towards all-out conflict began before dawn on Wednesday, when India launched missile attacks destroying what it called "terrorist camps" in the Pakistani part of Kashmir. This followed an April 22 attack on tourists in Indian-administered Kashmir, which killed 26 civilians. India accused Pakistan of backing the attack, but Islamabad denied involvement and immediately responded to the strikes with heavy artillery fire. It claimed to have downed five Indian fighter jets -- something New Delhi has not commented on. Militants have stepped up operations in Kashmir since 2019, when Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Hindu nationalist government revoked the region's limited autonomy and took it under direct rule from New Delhi.
