Canadian Ministers Condemn Threats Against Hindus by the Pro Khalistan Group
Canadian Ministers denounce threats have strongly denounced a video released by the pro-Khalistan organization Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), which threatened Hindus of Indian origin, urging them to leave Canada. This condemnation comes just two days after the video’s release by the secessionist group.
Dominic LeBlanc, Canada’s public safety minister, emphasised that all Canadians should feel safe in their communities. He expressed his disapproval of the online hate video that targeted Hindu Canadians and stressed that it goes against cherished Canadian values. LeBlanc asserted that acts of aggression, hate, intimidation, or incitement of fear have no place in Canada.
Harjit Sajjan, the emergency preparedness minister, echoed these sentiments, emphasising that Hindu Canadians and Indians from various backgrounds deserve safety and welcome in their homes. He encouraged them not to let anyone delegitimize or question their place or love for Canada.
While Canadian authorities expressed their condemnation, the organisation Canadian Hindus for Harmony demanded strict action against those responsible for the video, urging the Canadian government to promptly address the issue as a hate crime.
The video in question features Gurpatwant Pannun, SFJ’s legal counsel, who called on Indo-Hindu individuals to leave Canada and return to India. He accused them of supporting India’s suppression of speech and expression among pro-Khalistan Sikhs, further alleging that they promoted violence by celebrating the assassination of SFJ’s principal figure, Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
Pannun has been designated as a terrorist in India due to his association with SFJ. Another Hindu organisation, the Canadian Organisation for Hindu Heritage Education, urged Canadians to sign an e-petition before the House of Commons. The petition aims to recognise “anti-Hindu” prejudice and discrimination, describing it as Hinduphobia within the Human Rights Code glossary.
Additionally, Canadian Ministers denounce threats called upon Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to condemn the video and request concrete actions to address the issue. They highlighted that numerous temples had been desecrated by pro-Khalistan elements since the previous summer, with Canadian law enforcement yet to make any arrests in connection with these incidents. The organisation announced the launch of a Hinduphobia incident reporting helpline, acknowledging the anxiety and fear faced by individuals encountering such hateful incidents.