A Hindu temple was defaced in Canada’s Edmonton with “anti-India graffiti” painted on the walls. The BAPS Swaminarayan Temple was targeted early on Monday (local time), according to the Hindu American Foundation.
The organisation said the slurs used in the graffiti attacked Indian-origin Canadian MP, Chandra Arya. “The @chcconline is confirming that the BAPS temple in Edmonton, Canada became the latest Hindu temple targeted for an attack early this morning. The temple was defaced with slurs threatening @AryaCanada, one of a few Hindu Members of the Canadian House of Commons. We are outraged by this latest incident that mirrors several previous attacks—many blamed on pro-Khalistan activists,” the post on X read.
The @chcconline is confirming that the @BAPS temple in Edmonton, Canada became the latest Hindu temple targeted for an attack early this morning. The temple was defaced with slurs threatening @AryaCanada, one of a few Hindu Members of the Canadian House of Commons.
We are… pic.twitter.com/wH3zGWwbon
— Hindu American Foundation (@HinduAmerican) July 22, 2024
Condemning the incident, the Vishva Hindu Parishad in Canada called Prime Minister Justin Trudeau-led Canadian government to “act decisively against the growing extremist ideology.”
In an X post, VHP Canada wrote, “VHP Canada strongly denounces Hinduphobic graffiti & vandalism at BAPS Mandir in Edmonton.”
“We urge all levels of Government in Canada to act decisively against the growing extremist ideology propelling hate against peace loving Hindu community in our country,” it added.
VHP Canada strongly denounces Hinduphobic graffiti & vandalism at BAPS Mandir in Edmonton. We urge all levels of Government in Canada to act decisively against the growing extremist ideology propelling hate against peace loving Hindu community in our country. @JustinTrudeau… pic.twitter.com/N1zGpzGULM
— VHP Canada (@vhpcanada) July 22, 2024
Following the incident, the Consulate General of India in Vancouver said that it “condemned” the defacing of the temple with “anti-India graffiti”. It also requested the Canadian authorities to investigate and “take prompt action against perpetrators”.
“We condemn the defacing of BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Edmonton with anti-India graffiti. We have requested the Canadian authorities to investigate the incident and take prompt action against the perpetrators,” it posted on X.
We condemn the defacing of BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in #Edmonton with anti-India graffiti. We have requested the Canadian authorities to investigate the incident and take prompt action against the perpetrators.@HCI_Ottawa @GAC_Corporate @BAPS @MEAIndia @IndiainToronto
— India in Vancouver (@cgivancouver) July 22, 2024
India’s ties with Canada had been strained since last year when Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau publicly alleged that “agents of the Government of India” carried out the killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
However, the Indian government refuted the allegations and further accused the Trudeau government of inaction towards Khalistani elements in Canada.
Nijjar, a Canadian national, was gunned down outside Surrey’s Guru Nanak Sikh Gurudwara on June 18, 2023. As a pro-Khalistan figure, he was designated as an “individual terrorist” by India under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) in July 2020.
