Ottawa [Canada], November 4, 2024: In response to a violent attack by Khalistani extremists against Hindu-Canadian devotees inside the Hindu Sabha temple in Brampton, Canadian Member of Parliament Chandra Arya has publicly condemned the incident, stating that a “red line has been crossed.” The attack is the latest in a series of incidents highlighting the rise of religious extremism and violence in Canada.
Sharing a video of the incident on X, Arya wrote, “A red line has been crossed by Canadian Khalistani extremists today. The attack by Khalistanis on the Hindu-Canadian devotees inside the premises of the Hindu Sabha temple in Brampton shows how deep and brazen Khalistani violent extremism has become in Canada.” He further expressed his concern over the spread of extremism, hinting at a troubling infiltration within Canada’s political and law enforcement systems: “I begin to feel that there is a small grain of truth in the reports that in addition to Canadian political apparatus, Khalistanis have effectively infiltrated into our law enforcement agencies.”
Arya also criticised how extremists are exploiting Canada’s free speech laws, suggesting that such freedoms have allowed Khalistani extremists to go unchecked. “No wonder that under the ‘freedom of expression,’ Khalistani extremists are getting a free pass in Canada. As I have been saying for long, Hindu-Canadians, for the security and safety of our community, need to step up and assert their rights and hold politicians accountable,” Arya stated.
The recent attack reflects a troubling pattern of rising religious intolerance. Earlier this year, Arya voiced concern following vandalism at the BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir in Edmonton. He noted that temples across Canada—including those in the Greater Toronto Area, British Columbia, and other regions—had been increasingly targeted with hateful graffiti.
This incident also follows a wave of anti-Hindu vandalism last year, with a Hindu temple in Windsor defaced with anti-India graffiti, sparking condemnation from both Canadian and Indian authorities. Prior incidents in Mississauga and Brampton had similarly targeted Hindu places of worship, drawing strong reactions from the Indian community in Canada, who continue to demand accountability and enhanced protection.