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Hindustan Times
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Leave Canada: Outrage over threat from pro-Khalistan elements
The Khalsa Day parade featured floats with pro-Khalistan propaganda, pro-Pakistan banners and imagery targeting Indian leaders Toronto Indo-Canadian groups have expressed outrage over a speech made during a Khalsa Day parade in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) on Sunday calling for the community to be removed from the country. The speech was made in the backdrop of floats featuring pro-Khalistan propaganda, including pro-Pakistan and anti-India banners. A raw video of the speech was shared with the Hindustan Times and authenticated by the person who had taken it. While parts of the inflammatory rhetoric is unintelligible, the unidentified person giving the call using a megaphone says that 'eight lakh Bharti' should be taken back to Hindustan (India). Banners on display also featured the words 'Kill India', imagery attacking Indian leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and solidarity between proponents of Khalistan and Islamabad. There was no evidence that these floats were part of the procession sanctioned by the organisers. The nagar kirtan started from the town of Malton and travelled to Toronto's Rexdale area. Condemning the provocative statement, the Canadian Hindu Chamber of Commerce said: 'History teaches us that calls for mass expulsion leads to unthinkable acts. This dangerous rhetoric must be denounced by all leaders.' Community leaders pointed out that while there are approximately 1.8 million Indo-Canadians in the country, of them about 800,000 or eight-lakh are Hindus. The group Canadian Hindu Volunteers said: 'These are not the actions of activists. These are the tactics of radicalised ideologues, many of whom have exploited Canada's asylum and immigration systems, presenting false claims of persecution to enter the country and build networks that fund, promote, and glorify violence.' 'Let us be clear: This is not a conflict between Sikhs and Hindus. Millions of Sikhs and Hindus live side by side in Canada and across the world in peace, brotherhood and mutual respect,' it added in a post on X. The National Alliance of Indo-Canadians called upon Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney to 'nip this evil in the bud'. This is not the first time such rhetoric has been employed by radical elements in Canada. Last year, during the annual India Day parade in Toronto, a pro-Khalistan group gathered at the venue for the event, and were heard shouting, 'Canadian Hindus go back to India,' among other slogans. That demonstration was part of the so-called Khalistan Rally, and flyers circulated in the days preceding it called for a 'face-off' between 'Khalistan Sikhs' and 'Canadian Hindus'. In a video that went viral in September 2023, the secessionist outfit Sikh for Justice's legal counsel Gurpatwant Pannun said, 'Indo-Hindu leave Canada, go to India.' 'You not only support India but you are also supporting the suppression of speech and expression of pro-Khalistan Sikhs,' he said, adding they were 'also promoting violence by celebrating' Hardeep Singh Nijjar's 'assassination'. That reference was to the killing of the pro-Khalistan figure in Surrey, British Columbia on June 18, 2023. Three months later, then Canadian Prime Minister stated in the House of Commons there were 'credible allegations' of a potential link between Indian agents and the killing. That sparked cratering of ties between India and Canada as New Delhi rejected the accusation as 'absurd' and 'motivated.' Four Indian nationals, all Sikh, were arrested in connection with the murder and charged in May last year are currently undergoing trial in connection with that murder in British Columbia. India lodges protest with Canada India on Monday lodged a protest with Canadian authorities over the 'threatening language' and unacceptable imagery of the Indian leadership featured at a Khalsa Day parade held in Toronto, reflecting the strains in bilateral ties over the activities of pro-Khalistan elements. The Indian side lodged a protest with the Canadian high commission in New Delhi, people familiar with the matter said on condition of anonymity. 'We conveyed our concerns in the strongest terms to the Canadian high commission regarding the parade held in the Toronto, where unacceptable imagery and threatening language were used against our leadership and Indian citizens residing in Canada,' one of the people said. The Indian side again called on Canadian authorities to act against 'anti-India elements' who are spreading hatred and advocating extremism and a separatist agenda, the people said. The development comes at a time when the exit of former Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau and his successor Mark Carney's victory in the general election had raised hopes for an improvement in bilateral relations. India-Canada relations tumbled from one low to another since Trudeau went public in September 2023 with allegations that Indian government agents were linked to the killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a charge dismissed by New Delhi as 'absurd'. Under the Trudeau government, Ottawa and New Delhi repeatedly clashed on the Khalistan issue, downgraded diplomatic ties and expelled each other's diplomats. India also accused Canada of providing safe haven to extremist elements.
Hindustan Times
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
‘Leave Canada': Indo-Canadians outraged over threat from pro-Khalistan supporter
Toronto: Indo-Canadians groups have expressed outrage over a speech made during a Khalsa Day parade in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) on Sunday calling for the community to be removed from the country. The speech was made in the backdrop of floats featuring pro-Khalistan propaganda, including pro-Pakistan and anti-India banners. A raw video of the speech was shared with the Hindustan Times and authenticated by the person who had taken it. While parts of the inflammatory rhetoric is unintelligible, the unidentified person giving the call using a megaphone says that 'eight lakh Bharti' should be taken back to Hindustan (India). Banners on display also featured the words 'Kill India', imagery attacking Indian leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and solidarity between proponents of Khalistan and Islamabad. There was no evidence that these floats were part of the procession sanctioned by the organisers. The nagar kirtan started from the town of Malton and travelled to Toronto's Rexdale area. Condemning the provocative statement, the Canadian Hindu Chamber of Commerce said, 'History teaches us that calls for mass expulsion leads to unthinkable acts. This dangerous rhetoric must be denounced by all leaders.' Community leaders pointed out that while there are approximately 1.8 million Indo-Canadians in the country, of them about 800,000 or eight lakh are Hindus. The group Canadian Hindu Volunteers said, 'These are not the actions of 'activists'. These are the tactics of radicalised ideologues, many of whom have exploited Canada's asylum and immigration systems, presenting false claims of persecution to enter the country and build networks that fund, promote, and glorify violence.' 'Let us be clear: This is not a conflict between Sikhs and Hindus. Millions of Sikhs and Hindus live side by side in Canada and across the world in peace, brotherhood, and mutual respect,' it added in a post on X. The National Alliance of Indo-Canadians called upon Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney to 'nip this evil in the bud'. This is not the first time such rhetoric has been employed by radical elements in Canada. Last year, during the annual India Day parade in Toronto, a pro-Khalistan group gathered at the venue for the event, and were heard shouting, 'Canadian Hindus go back to India,' among other slogans. That demonstration was part of the so-called Khalistan Rally, and flyers circulated in the days preceding it called for a 'Face-off' between 'Khalistan Sikhs' and 'Canadian Hindus'. In a video that went viral in September 2023, the secessionist outfit Sikh for Justice's legal counsel Gurpatwant Pannun said, 'Indo-Hindu leave Canada, go to India.' 'You not only support India but you are also supporting the suppression of speech and expression of pro-Khalistan Sikhs,' he said, adding they were 'also promoting violence by celebrating' Hardeep Singh Nijjar's 'assassination'. That reference was to the killing of the pro-Khalistan figure in Surrey, British Columbia on June 18, 2023. Three months later, then Canadian Prime Minister stated in the House of Commons there were 'credible allegations' of a potential link between Indian agents and the killing. That sparked cratering of ties between India and Canada as New Delhi rejected the accusation as 'absurd' and 'motivated.' Four Indian nationals, all Sikh, were arrested in connection with the murder and charged in May last year are currently undergoing trial in connection with that murder in British Columbia.
Hindustan Times
27-04-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Indo-Canadian groups hold candlelight vigils, prayer meetings for the victims of Pahalgam terror attack
Toronto: As the Indo-Canadian community remains in shock over the terror attack on tourists in Jammu and Kashmir on April 22, they held vigils and prayers meetings in memory of the victims in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), Vancouver, Montreal and elsewhere across the country. On Saturday morning, over 300 people, including local politicians, gathered at the Gita Park in the Brampton in the GTA for a 'solemn vigil to honour the victims' of the terror attack. 'The gathering served as a powerful reminder of unity, compassion, and the collective determination to uphold peace. Together, attendees prayed, reflected, and reaffirmed their commitment to a future built on harmony and resilience,' the Canadian Hindu Chamber of Commerce (CHCC), which held the event, said. Its president Kushagr Dutt Sharma said, 'Today, we stood together not just to mourn, but to renew our commitment to a world where hatred has no home. The pain of the Pahalgam attacks reminds us that unity and compassion are our strongest weapons against violence.' On Saturday evening, a similar number of mourners gathered for a candlelight vigil at Mel Lastman Square in Toronto. Ruchi Wali, one of the principal organisers of the vigil, told the gathering that among its objectives was to send out the message that 'Hindu lives matter'. Wali, who has roots in Jammu and Kashmir, called out the 'silence' of the Canadian establishment in criticising the perpetrators of the violence. Rishabh Sarswat, president of the Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA) Canada, said that 'Hindu trauma is not recognised in Western countries' and that was 'reflected in the media and in the language of politicians'. As speakers questioned why Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney was the last among leaders of G7 countries to condemn the terror attack, Sarswat said such a delayed response spoke 'volumes' over the 'seriousness' of the country's political class over the rights of Hindu. 'That is very concerning for us as Hindu Canadians,' he said. Joining the Indo-Canadian groups were Jewish organisations, and Baloch human rights activists, among others. Meanwhile, a peaceful assembly was held at the Vancouver Art Gallery to show solidarity with the victims of the terrorist attack, while a vigil in their memory was held in Montreal. In a statement, the Hindu Cultural Society of Toronto expressed its 'deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of the innocent victims brutally killed' in the terror attack. It will organise a prayer meeting on Sunday. The Hindu Sabha Mandir, which was violently invaded by pro-Khalistan elements in November, also issued a statement, in which it said, 'Such reprehensible acts of terrorism against peace loving Hindu tourists, enjoying their vacation time in serene Pahalgam valley, has no place in our law-abiding world.'
Hindustan Times
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Kashmir terror attack: Indo-Canadian organisations condemn killing of civilians
Toronto: Amid silence from the Canadian government and political leadership, Indo-Canadian organisations condemned the massacre of civilians by terrorists in Kashmir on Tuesday. They reacted with shock and anger as details of the terror attack emerged. The Canadian Hindu Chamber of Commerce (CHCC) said, 'This incident is a tragic reminder of the ongoing threat faced by Hindu communities in conflict zones.' It urged Canadian leaders, international human rights organisations, and the global community to 'unequivocally condemn this atrocity, recognise the targeted nature of such violence, and take meaningful steps to ensure justice and protection for vulnerable communities'. The Coalition of Hindus of North America said it was 'horrified at this mindless slaughter and condemns it in the strongest terms'. 'We ask our lawmakers to publicly condemn this in the strongest terms and look for ways to put pressure on institutions, groups and individuals that nurture and promote this anti-Hindu hate,' it added. The Hindu Canadian Foundation described it as 'an utterly reprehensible act of barbarism'. 'This is an atrocious crime against humanity that demands universal outrage. It strongly condemned 'this monstrous attack and urgently calls on the Canadian government, legislators, and civil society to unequivocally denounce this violence. Inaction is complicity — justice requires immediate and resolute action!' it added. Reacting to the mass killing, Canada India Foundation chair Ritesh Malik said, 'This is high time that there is sincere collective responsibility among all nations and concrete actions taken to tackle terrorism in all forms.' The community is planning a protest over the weekend against the terrorist rampage and leaders said they will impress upon politicians to express solidarity as they seek votes ahead of the April 28 federal election. There were no statements from Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney or his government, the Liberal Party or Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre till late on Tuesday night.
India Today
21-04-2025
- Politics
- India Today
'Hinduphobia': Khalistani extremists vandalise Hindu temple, gurdwara in Canada
A Hindu Laxmi Narayan Temple in Surrey, Canada was vandalised by Khalistani extremists on April 19. A pro-Khalistani graffiti was spray-painted on its walls, sparking outrage amongst the Hindu community in Canadian Hindu Chamber of Commerce shared a video of the graffiti on social media platform X, calling the act 'Hinduphobia.' The organisation expressed outrage, saying, "We strongly condemn the vandalism of Laxmi Narayan Mandir in British Coumbia (BC) by Khalistani extremists." The Chamber further urged all Canadians to unite against hate and take swift action, declaring that "silence is not an option."We strongly condemn the vandalism of Laxmi Narayan Mandir in BC by Khalistani act of #Hinduphobia has no place in urge swift action & ask all Canadians to stand united against is not an option.#CHCC #StopHinduphobia Canadian Hindu Chamber of Commerce (@chcconline) April 20, 2025advertisementHindu Canadian Member of Parliament also criticised the incident and condemned persistent attacks on Hindu temples in Canada over the years. "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," the MP also highlighted the alarming impact of Khalistani extremists, describing them as "well-organised, well-funded, and backed by significant political clout." He added that these elements were "brazenly asserting their dominance and successfully silencing Hindu voices across Canada."In a related incident, the Khalsa Diwan Society (KDS), which manages the Ross Street Gurdwara in Vancouver, reported that its premises had also been defaced with pro-Khalistan slogans, including "Khalistan Zindabad." The Society condemned the desecration and attributed it to a small group of Sikh separatists. "This act is part of an ongoing campaign by extremist forces that seek to instil fear and division within the Canadian Sikh community," the KDS stated in a press images are from the Ross Gurdwara in Vancouver. Khalistanis vandalised this gurudwara a few hours ago. This Gurdwara promotes Hindu-Sikh unity & didn't allow Khslistanis in their Nagar Kirtan a few days ago, and this is the net result. The price of being decent in Canada. (@kushal_mehra) April 20, 2025advertisementThe vandalism of both Hindu and Sikh places of worship has united many Hindu-Canadians and Sikh-Canadians in their call for immediate action from the authorities."It is time for the Hindu-Canadians, jointly with the vast majority of our Sikh-Canadian brothers and sisters, to rise with urgency and demand immediate, decisive action from authorities at all levels of government. Silence is no longer an option," emphasised the Hindu Canadian incidents have sparked broader concerns about growing extremism and its divisive impact on communities in Canada. Both Hindu and Sikh leaders have condemned the actions as attempts to instil fear and undermine communal harmony. Authorities have been urged to address the issue decisively and ensure that acts of hate do not go unchecked. IN THIS STORY#India-Canada
