Amid the ongoing diplomatic tensions between India and Canada, Canadian Member of Parliament (MP) Chandra Arya has made some noteworthy statements regarding the safety and security of Hindu-Canadians. Arya, who hails from the Liberal Party of Canada, the same political party as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, expressed concerns about extremist elements targeting Hindu-Canadians.
Arya revealed that recently, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a leader of the Khalistan movement in Canada and the president of Sikhs for Justice, had made provocative statements urging Hindu-Canadians to leave Canada and return to India. This targeted attack has understandably left many Hindu-Canadians feeling fearful.
In response, Arya called upon Hindu-Canadians to remain calm but vigilant and encouraged them to report any incidents of Hinduphobia to local law enforcement agencies. He expressed the belief that Pannun's actions were aimed at provoking reactions from Hindu Canadians and potentially dividing the Hindu and Sikh communities in Canada.
However, Arya emphasized that the majority of Canadian Sikhs do not support the Khalistan movement. He clarified that while many Sikh Canadians may not publicly condemn the Khalistan movement for various reasons, they share strong family relationships and social and cultural ties with the Hindu-Canadian community.
Arya viewed the recent attack on Hindu Canadians by the leader of the Canadian Khalistan movement as an escalation of previous incidents, including attacks on Hindu temples and the public celebration of the assassination of Hindu Prime Minister Indira Gandhi by terrorists. He underlined Canada's commitment to high moral values and the rule of law.
Arya expressed dismay at the glorification of terrorism and hate crimes being allowed under the banner of freedom of expression. He questioned why such actions were tolerated when they targeted a religious group and emphasized that there would be public outrage if a white supremacist were to make similar attacks against any racialized group in Canada.
The MP also pointed out that Hindu Canadians tend to keep a low profile and are considered soft targets by "anti-Hindu elements." He mentioned that two well-organized groups claiming to represent their faiths had been attacking Hindu-Canadian community leaders, organizations, and even himself. Arya had faced criticism for raising a flag with the Hindu religious sacred symbol Aum on the parliament hill for over ten months.
In closing, Arya called upon Hindu-Canadians to stay calm and vigilant, reminding them to take pride in their Hindu faith, heritage, and their substantial contributions to Canada's socio-economic success.
The diplomatic tensions between India and Canada further escalated when Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged India's involvement in the killing of Hardeep Nijjar, a designated terrorist in India. This accusation led to Canada expelling an Indian diplomat, a move that India responded to by expelling a senior Canadian diplomat from its territory. Hardeep Singh Nijjar, chief of the Khalistan Tiger Force and a designated terrorist in India, was fatally shot outside a Gurdwara in Canada's Surrey, British Columbia, on June 18.