Hindu Groups Condemn Planned Khalistan Protests Outside Temples in Canada
OTTAWA — Several Hindu advocacy organizations have condemned calls by Khalistani group Sikhs for Justice to stage protests outside Hindu temples in Canada, raising concerns over safety and potential disruption.
The group has announced “Khalistan Zindabad” rallies on April 5 outside Triveni Mandir in Brampton and Lakshmi Narayan Mandir in Surrey, targeting the Hindu Canadian Foundation.
The Hindu Canadian Foundation objected to the planned demonstrations, stating that “targeting the Hindu community because of its ancient roots to India or indigenous cultural identity is xenophobia and Hinduphobia, plain and simple.”
The organization urged Canadian law enforcement to provide full-day security at temple premises and for devotees, citing what it described as a history of “violent and extremist behaviour” linked to such groups.
The Coalition of Hindus of North America also criticized the planned protests, pointing to past incidents it said involved violence, including an assault on Hindu devotees and temple disruptions in November 2024.
The group said temple visitors have faced “loud and abusive demonstrations” at entrances, along with “violent imagery, glorification of terrorism and verbal harassment.”
“This is nothing but religious bigotry and targeted harassment that masquerades as ‘freedom of speech’ and ‘political expression’. It must be noted that the Hindu Canadian Foundation also enjoys freedom of speech, and using the threat of physical protests against an entire community to silence one organisation violates the very basic Canadian principle of fairness,” the organization said.
The coalition also expressed support for the Hindu Canadian Foundation’s right to express its views without “fear of bullying and physical harassment.”
It welcomed steps taken by Peel Regional Police to enforce Brampton’s bylaw aimed at protecting places of worship from disruptive demonstrations, including the creation of a 100-meter safety zone around Triveni Mandir.
The group called on authorities in Surrey to adopt similar measures to ensure protection for Lakshmi Narayan Mandir during the planned protests. (Source: IANS)
