Hundreds of demonstrators gathered outside the prominent Hindu Sabha Mandir in Canada, voicing opposition to what they describe as escalating threats from Khalistani extremist groups. The rally marks a public outcry against recent incidents involving Hindu temples across Canada, where Hindu symbols and sacred spaces have been desecrated with anti-India slogans, heightening concerns about community safety.
The demonstration was organized in response to a series of targeted attacks against Hindu temples that some community leaders attribute to rising anti-India sentiment in the region. Supporters of the rally argue that the incidents are not isolated but rather part of a broader pattern of intimidation. Leaders from the Hindu community have condemned the defacements as a violation of religious sanctity and a blatant attempt to provoke divisions within the multicultural fabric of Canada.
Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) Canada and other advocacy groups have pointed to perceived government inaction as a contributing factor to the rise in hate crimes against the Hindu community. VHP Canada’s leadership has called on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government to take decisive measures against what they term “extremist ideology” that promotes hostility against religious minorities. Statements from the organization emphasize the community’s desire for proactive steps to address these incidents, including tightened surveillance and increased legal actions against individuals involved in the acts.
The Consulate General of India in Vancouver and other diplomatic bodies have condemned the attacks and have engaged Canadian authorities for a thorough investigation. The Indian government, while refraining from issuing a direct public rebuke, has expressed its deep concern over what it considers an organized campaign targeting Indian-origin communities.