The BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir in Edmonton, Canada, has been defaced with hateful and anti-India graffiti amid growing Hinduphobia in the country.
The Consulate General of India in Vancouver condemned the vandalism of BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Edmonton, emphasizing the need for Canadian authorities to investigate and address the incident swiftly.
The BAPS organization, which oversees the temple, has yet to respond to the incident. No official action has been reported regarding the vandalism that occurred on Monday morning.
Randy Boissonnault, Member of Parliament for Edmonton Centre, stated, “Earlier today, the Edmonton BAPS Mandir was vandalized with paint, displaying hateful rhetoric on the walls of what should be a place of refuge. Hate has no place in Canada, especially in places of worship and prayer. This incident is unacceptable and contradicts the values upheld by our city.”
The Canadian Hindu Chamber of Commerce (CHCC) issued a statement condemning the vandalism as an attack on both the Hindu community and the principles of respect and tolerance. They described it as a “senseless act of hate” and highlighted the “rising tide of Hinduphobia” in Canada. The CHCC called on Canadian officials and local authorities to swiftly address Hinduphobia and safeguard religious institutions.
In the past year, there have been several attacks on Hindu temples in Mississauga, Brampton, and Windsor, often accompanied by Khalistani referendum posters with veiled threats to Hindus.
The recent incident in Edmonton has sparked strong reactions, including from elected officials. Chandra Arya, a member of Parliament from Nepean, remarked on the increasing number of Hindu temples being vandalized with hateful graffiti and criticized the public rhetoric of hate and violence from Khalistani extremists.
MP Terry Duguid from Winnipeg South expressed his sadness over the vandalism, calling it a repulsive act that goes against Canadian values. He praised the BAPS community for their charitable work and community service.
The Hindu American Foundation also issued a statement, quoting the CHCC, and called for an immediate investigation into the vandalism and the implied threat to MP Arya. They warned that the upcoming ‘Khalistan referendum’ in Calgary could lead to further tensions.
The incident underscores the urgent need for Canadian authorities to address and counter the rise in Hinduphobia and ensure the safety and security of all religious communities in the country.
