Canadian MP Chandra Arya condemns Khalistani extremism and calls for protection of Hindus
- In Reports
- 12:10 PM, Oct 17, 2024
- Myind Staff
In a strong condemnation of rising Khalistani extremism in Canada, Chandra Arya, a Member of Parliament from Nepean, expressed concern over increasing Hinduphobia. He stated that Canadian Hindus are yet to receive any reassurance from politicians or government officials regarding their safety.
In a recent video message, Arya, a member of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Liberal Party, highlighted his personal experience with the growing threat. He revealed that, for the first time, he could only safely attend a Hindu event in Edmonton under the protection of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) due to disruptive protests from a group of Khalistani extremists.
"I have heard concerns from Hindus across Canada regarding recent developments. As a Hindu member of Parliament, I too have experienced these concerns. Last week, I could only safely participate in a Hindu event in Edmonton under the protection of RCMP officers, as a group of Khalistani protesters staged a disruptive demonstration against me,” Arya stated. He emphasised that violent Khalistani extremism is a significant problem in Canada.
The MP further warned against any form of foreign interference in Canada’s internal affairs, calling the rise of Khalistani extremism a "Canadian problem" that needs to be dealt with by Canadian authorities. “Let me be clear, any actions or involvement by foreign state actors within Canada in any form are unacceptable. This is a Canadian problem, and it is the duty of all levels of our government and our law enforcement agencies to address it," he said.
Arya stressed the importance of protecting Canadian citizens from extremism and urged the federal government to work closely with other affected nations, including India, to eliminate terrorism and cross-border threats. "We know that extremism and terrorism don't recognise national borders. We expect our federal government and its agencies to collaborate with other affected countries to protect our citizens," he remarked.
Referencing a recent press conference, Arya mentioned that RCMP Assistant Commissioner Brigitte Gawain confirmed the existence of a national task force focused on investigating the Khalistani violent extremism. He quoted Gawain, saying, "There’s a violent, extremist threat in Canada that Canada and India have been working on over the years."
Arya also expressed concern over the impact of these developments on Canada-India relations, particularly regarding the issue of Khalistani extremism. He emphasised the need to recognise and address the threats posed by extremist groups across borders.
The MP pointed to Andrew Coyne’s piece in the Global Mail from September 2023, which criticised the glorification of certain Canadian politicians attending rallies that celebrated extremists. Arya expressed disappointment that no political leaders or officials had yet offered any reassurance to Hindu Canadians, who feel increasingly concerned for their safety. "Unfortunately, I have yet to hear any politician or government official offer reassurance to Hindu Canadians, many of whom feel concerned and fearful for their safety in light of recent events," he said.
Arya called on Hindu Canadians to raise their voices and hold politicians accountable. "We are one of the most educated and trusted communities in this country, contributing greatly to Canada's progress. However, our low profile is often mistaken for weakness by politicians. I pledge to do my best to advocate on your behalf, but my efforts alone are not enough. The only way to have our concerns addressed is for Hindu Canadians to raise their voices and hold all politicians accountable," he added.
This comes in the wake of strained relations between India and Canada following Trudeau’s allegation last year that India was involved in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June. India dismissed the claims as "absurd" and accused Canada of harbouring anti-India elements. Nijjar, who was designated a terrorist by India's National Investigation Agency in 2020, was killed outside a gurdwara in Surrey.
Diplomatic tensions escalated when Canada declared India’s High Commissioner and other diplomats as "persons of interest" in the investigation into Nijjar’s death. In retaliation, India expelled six Canadian diplomats and withdrew its High Commissioner Sanjay Kumar Verma, citing the Trudeau government's support for extremism and separatism.
India has since stated that it reserves the right to take further steps in response to the Canadian government's stance on extremism and violence.
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