Members of the Hindu Sikh Global Forum gathered outside the Canadian High Commission to voice their outrage over the recent attacks on Hindu temples in Canada. The demonstration, which took place on November 12, 2024, was marked by passionate speeches, chants, and banners condemning the rising tide of religious intolerance against the Hindu community in Canada. The protestors called for immediate action from the Canadian government to address the escalating violence targeting Hindu places of worship in the country.
A Rising Tide of Attacks
Over the past several months, several Hindu temples in Canada have been the targets of violent attacks. These incidents include acts of vandalism, desecration, and even arson. The most recent attack, which occurred earlier this month, saw the defacing of statues and destruction of sacred religious symbols inside a prominent temple in Brampton, Ontario. This series of attacks has left the Indian diaspora, particularly the Hindu and Sikh communities, deeply unsettled.
The Hindu Sikh Global Forum, a collective organization representing both Hindu and Sikh communities globally, expressed grave concern over the seeming rise in anti-Hindu sentiments within Canada. The organization has been actively working to unite different religious communities in the fight against religious violence, bigotry, and intolerance. In a statement released prior to the protest, the Forum condemned not only the specific acts of violence but also what it perceives as a failure by local authorities to take decisive action against the perpetrators of these hate crimes.
The Protest
The protest in New Delhi began at 10 a.m. in front of the Canadian High Commission, with demonstrators holding placards that read: “Stop Attacks on Hindu Temples,” “Justice for Canadian Hindus,” and “Religious Tolerance, Not Intolerance.” The crowd, which consisted of men, women, and children, was a mix of Hindus and Sikhs, all united in their condemnation of the recent events in Canada.
Speeches were delivered by prominent members of the Forum, who called on the Canadian government to take immediate steps to safeguard religious places of worship and to ensure the protection of the Hindu community in Canada. One of the protestors, Rajesh Kumar, a New Delhi-based Hindu activist, stated, “We are here today not just for the Hindu temples in Canada but for all places of worship across the world. No religious community should face violence or hatred based on their faith.”
Another key figure in the protest, Harvinder Singh, a Sikh community leader, added, “While we are proud of the contributions our community has made to Canada, we are concerned about the growing intolerance towards Hindu and Sikh communities. This cannot continue.”
The protestors also demanded that the Canadian authorities investigate the incidents thoroughly and bring the culprits to justice. They further urged Canadian officials to publicly condemn these attacks and take steps to prevent such incidents from happening in the future. Some protestors carried images of damaged temples, highlighting the severity of the attacks and emphasizing the emotional and spiritual harm inflicted upon the local communities in Canada.
Global Reactions and Calls for Accountability
The protests have garnered attention not only within India but also from other international Hindu and Sikh organizations, which have rallied in support of their Canadian counterparts. Global Hindu organizations, including those in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia, have expressed solidarity with the victims and have called for stronger diplomatic efforts to address the issue.
Within Canada, the attacks have sparked a national debate on religious freedom and the protection of minority communities. While the Canadian government has promised to investigate the incidents, many members of the Hindu and Sikh communities feel that the response has been slow and insufficient. There are growing concerns over the role of radical elements within the country, with some pointing to groups that are allegedly inciting hate against religious minorities, including Hindus, Sikhs, and Jews.
The Role of the Canadian Government
The protestors in New Delhi made it clear that they expect a swift and decisive response from the Canadian government. Some suggested that Canada’s political leadership must do more than offer symbolic gestures; they need to address the root causes of religious intolerance and ensure that hate groups are not allowed to operate freely within their borders.
Political analysts suggest that this issue has the potential to affect diplomatic relations between India and Canada, as the Hindu and Sikh communities in India have long maintained strong cultural, religious, and familial ties with Canada. While the Canadian government has condemned the violence in public statements, critics argue that more needs to be done to curb the rising tide of extremism that appears to be targeting religious minorities.
The protest outside the Canadian High Commission in New Delhi serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of religious tolerance and protection of places of worship around the world. As the Hindu Sikh Global Forum continues to call for justice, the message is clear: violence, hatred, and religious intolerance have no place in society. The international community, and particularly Canada, must stand firm in ensuring that all religious communities, regardless of their size or influence, are afforded the security and dignity they deserve.
The coming days will likely see more diplomatic pressure on Canada to take meaningful steps in response to the attacks. The hope among protestors is that these acts of violence will not go unpunished, and that the Canadian government will rise to the occasion, reinforcing its commitment to religious freedom and the protection of all its citizens.