Tensions have escalated within Canadian religious communities after back-to-back incidents of vandalism targeting sacred sites a Hindu temple in Surrey and a prominent Sikh Gurdwara in Vancouver with pro-Khalistan graffiti. These acts, carried out by suspected Khalistani extremists, have sparked widespread concern about rising extremism and threats to religious harmony in the country.
The Khalsa Diwan Society (KDS), custodians of the Ross Street Gurdwara in Vancouver, reported that their premises were defaced overnight with slogans such as “Khalistan Zindabad.” The graffiti appeared on the walls near the parking area of the Gurdwara. In a public statement, KDS condemned the act, attributing it to a small group of Sikh separatists promoting divisive ideologies. “This act is part of an ongoing campaign by extremist forces that seek to instill fear and division within the Canadian Sikh community,” the Society said. The vandalism coincided with Khalsa Sajna Diwas a day celebrating Sikh unity and resilience making the incident even more painful for many in the community.
Hindu Mandir was Vandalised
Just hours earlier, the Laxmi Narayan Temple in Surrey, British Columbia, had also been defaced. Pro-Khalistan slogans were spray-painted across the temple walls, prompting swift outrage from the Hindu community. The Canadian Hindu Chamber of Commerce shared a video of the graffiti on social media platform X, condemning the attack as a clear act of “Hinduphobia.” The organisation stated, “We strongly condemn the vandalism of Laxmi Narayan Mandir in British Columbia (BC) by Khalistani extremists,” and called for national solidarity in opposing such hate crimes. “Silence is not an option,” it added.
Highlighting the urgency of the issue, Canadian Member of Parliament Chandra Arya, who represents Ottawa Nepean and is of Indian descent, expressed grave concern over the attacks. “The attacks on Hindu temples that began several years ago continue unabated today this latest graffiti on the Hindu temple is yet another chilling reminder of the growing influence of Khalistani extremism,” Arya wrote on X. He described the extremists as “well-organised, well-funded, and backed by significant political clout,” adding that these groups are now “brazenly asserting their dominance and successfully silencing Hindu voices across Canada.”
Rising Calls for Actions Amid Temple Attacks
Arya also stressed that the time for passive condemnation had passed. “It is time for the Hindu-Canadians, jointly with the vast majority of our Sikh-Canadian brothers and sisters, to rise with urgency and demand immediate, decisive action from authorities at all levels of government. Silence is no longer an option,” he said.
These back-to-back incidents are part of a worrying pattern, community leaders say. Earlier this year, the Krishna Brindavan Temple in Greater Toronto was also vandalised, raising questions about the safety of religious sites in Canada. Many are urging authorities to take meaningful steps to prevent further attacks and ensure accountability.
Sikh and Hindu Leaders Spoke About the Incident
Interestingly, both Sikh and Hindu leaders have spoken out against the recent acts. While Khalistani slogans appeared on both a Hindu temple and a Sikh Gurdwara, leaders from both communities have made it clear that the majority of their followers reject such extremist ideologies. The Khalsa Diwan Society emphasised that their Gurdwara remains separate from the Khalistani agenda and condemned the actions of those attempting to hijack religious platforms for political motives.
The repeated defacing of religious sites has not only alarmed members of the affected communities but also sparked calls for a stronger governmental response. The attacks, many fear, aim to provoke division and instill fear. Community groups across Canada are now demanding that such hate-driven acts be investigated with urgency and prosecuted firmly.
As investigations continue, leaders warn that inaction could embolden extremist elements. The latest wave of vandalism serves as a grim reminder of the rising tensions within Canada’s multicultural society and the urgent need to address radical ideologies before they escalate further.
