In a distressing incident, the BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir in Edmonton, Canada, was defaced with hateful graffiti, including slurs threatening Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Indian-origin Canadian MP Chandra Arya.

Chandra Arya took to the social media platform X to report the incident, stating, “The Hindu temple BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir in Edmonton is vandalised again. Over the past few years, Hindu temples in the Greater Toronto Area, British Columbia, and other parts of Canada have been repeatedly targeted with hateful graffiti.”

Arya highlighted past incidents involving Khalistani separatists and violence against Hindus. He noted, “Gurpatwant Singh Pannun of Sikhs for Justice last year publicly called for Hindus to return to India. Khalistan supporters publicly celebrated in Brampton and Vancouver the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, brandishing images of deadly weapons.”

Expressing concern over the increasing Hinduphobic activities, Arya wrote, “Khalistani extremists seem to easily get away with their public rhetoric of hate and violence. Hindu-Canadians are legitimately concerned.” He urged Canadian law enforcement agencies to take the issue seriously, warning, “These rhetorics could escalate into physical actions against Hindu-Canadians.”

The incident has sparked widespread condemnation from Hindu organizations in Canada and abroad. The Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) Canada denounced the vandalism and called on the Canadian government to take stringent action. “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 the peace-loving Hindu community in our country,” the organisation posted on X.

The Hindu American Association also expressed outrage over the incident on social media, reflecting the broader condemnation from Hindu communities worldwide.

Image source: X