In response to a petition addressing Hinduphobia before the House of Commons, the Canadian Government has officially stated that it "rejects all forms of hate and discrimination" and emphasizes the collective responsibility of all Canadians to stand up against such instances whenever encountered.

The Government's response, issued by Minister of Diversity and Inclusion and Persons with Disabilities Kamal Khera and signed by her Parliamentary Secretary Sameer Zuberi, has generated disappointment among the petitioners.

Expressing frustration with the Government's response, Vijay Jain, the initiator of petition e-4507 based in Brampton, stated that the official statement did not meet the petition's key requests. These requests included the recognition of Hinduphobia as a term in the glossary of the Human Rights Code to describe anti-Hindu prejudice and discrimination. The petition also urged the definition of Hinduphobia as the denial, negation, prejudice, or vilification against Hindus, Hinduism, or Hinduness, along with efforts to raise awareness and address systemic and institutional Hinduphobia.

Jain pointed out that while the Human Rights Code in Canada was prescriptive regarding anti-Semitism and Islamophobia, similar measures were not being applied against the growing issue of Hinduphobia. He asserted that this indicated systemic discrimination against Hindus in Canada. Jain and other community groups have reportedly sought a meeting with Minister Kamal Khera but have not yet secured an appointment.

The Government has expressed gratitude to the petitioner for raising concerns about the increasing negative stereotyping, prejudice, and discrimination faced by Hindus in Canada. The petition, which garnered 25,794 signatures, well surpassing the 500 required for an official government response, was presented in the House of Commons on November 3 by Conservative Party MP Melissa Lantsman. Lantsman highlighted the challenges faced by Canadian Hindus, citing instances of growing stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination in workplaces, schools, and communities, with their traditions and cultures being misrepresented and misunderstood.

A total of 81 community organizations, including major temples, supported the petition, underscoring the widespread concern within the Hindu community. The momentum of the petition increased following the release of a video in September by the secessionist group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), targeting Canadian Hindus of Indian origin. In the viral video, SFJ's legal counsel, Gurpatwant Pannun, urged Indo-Hindus to "leave Canada and go to India," further amplifying the issues at hand.

Image source: Hindustan Times