Why is the Hindu community in Canada alarmed by Khalistani threats?

Ottawa, May 5 (NationPress) The Hindu Canadian Foundation (HCF) strongly condemned the recent call by Khalistani extremists urging the expulsion of 800,000 Hindus back to India.

During the Malton and Etobicoke Nagar Kirtan at the Malton Gurdwara in Toronto, Canada, an anti-Hindu parade was held.

A video of the event has been widely shared on social media, showing a large truck with a replica jail that featured effigies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar.

The HCF stated that such rhetoric breeds division and incites hate against Hindu Canadians.

According to the HCF, "The silence of numerous political leaders in response to these hateful remarks is akin to giving implicit consent. It is imperative for all Members of Parliament and Members of Provincial Parliament, irrespective of their political affiliations, to denounce this divisiveness and reaffirm Canada's dedication to religious harmony and inclusivity," the foundation noted in a statement.

"A civilized society must not tolerate hate speech and efforts to divide our diverse communities. We urge Canadians to hold politicians accountable, questioning the legacy they wish to leave for future generations," the statement continued.

The foundation emphasized that the Nagar Kirtan is intended to unite individuals of all faiths, embodying the teachings of the Sikh Gurus, and should never be exploited for political provocation or exclusionary language.

Meanwhile, the Canadian Hindu Chamber of Commerce criticized the incident, calling for Hindus to leave Canada.

"There are 800,000 Hindus and over 1.86 million Indo-Canadians in Canada. The calls made at the Nagar Kirtans in Malton and Etobicoke clearly targeted Hindus. History shows that calls for mass expulsion can lead to unimaginable consequences. This perilous rhetoric must be condemned by all leaders," they stated.

Khalistani extremism, particularly against Hindus, is escalating in Canada, highlighted by repeated incidents of Hindu temple vandalism.

Last month, the Lakshmi Narayan Temple in Surrey was vandalized with pro-Khalistan graffiti, marking it as the third incident at that site.

Former Canadian MP Chandra Arya condemned the incident in a post on X.

"The attacks on Hindu temples have persisted for years; this latest graffiti incident is yet another alarming indication of the rising influence of Khalistani extremism," he expressed.

Arya cautioned against a broader, coordinated effort behind these acts: "Well-organized, financially backed, and politically empowered Khalistani factions are boldly asserting their dominance, effectively silencing Hindu voices across Canada."

He also mentioned the targeting of the Khalsa Diwan Society's Ross Street Gurdwara in Vancouver, which was defaced with slogans such as "Khalistan Zindabad."

The Gurdwara management condemned these actions, labeling them as part of an "ongoing campaign by extremist groups aimed at instilling fear and division within the Canadian Sikh community."

"It is time for Hindu Canadians, alongside the vast majority of our Sikh-Canadian brothers and sisters, to urgently rise and demand immediate, decisive action from authorities at all levels of government. Silence is no longer an option," Arya concluded, calling for prompt action after last month's incident.