In a recent development, the Canadian government has strongly condemned the circulation of an online video that targeted Hindu Canadians, urging them to leave the country. The government has unequivocally labeled this video as offensive and hateful, emphasizing that acts promoting aggression, hate, intimidation, or incitement of fear have no place within Canada's borders.
This incident has occurred amidst escalating tensions between India and Canada, sparked by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's controversial allegations of potential Indian involvement in the killing of Khalistani extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar on Canadian soil in June. It's worth noting that India had designated Nijjar as a terrorist in 2020.
India has vehemently rejected Trudeau's allegations, deeming them "absurd" and "motivated." In a retaliatory move, India expelled a senior Canadian diplomat, mirroring Ottawa's expulsion of an Indian official in connection with the Nijjar case, PTI reported.
Public Safety Canada, the governmental department responsible for public safety, emergency management, national security, and emergency preparedness, has condemned the video's circulation as an affront to all Canadians and the values they hold dear. In a statement, they asserted, "There is no place in Canada for hate." They further emphasized that acts promoting hate and division only serve to weaken the fabric of Canadian society, urging all Canadians to respect one another and uphold the rule of law.
Indo-Canadian lawmaker Chandra Arya, a member of Prime Minister Trudeau's party, expressed dismay over what he termed the "glorification of terrorism" and hate crimes targeting Hindus in the name of "freedom of expression" in Canada. He called on Hindu Canadians to remain vigilant and report any incidents of Hinduphobia to local law enforcement agencies.
The video featured Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, designated as a terrorist in India, urging Indo-Hindu individuals to leave Canada and return to India. Arya pointed out that this attack on Hindu Canadians aims to provoke reactions and divide the Hindu and Sikh communities in Canada.
Canadian public safety minister Dominic LeBlanc reiterated that all Canadians should feel safe in their communities, emphasizing that the circulation of this hate video goes against the values Canadians hold dear. Emergency preparedness minister Harjit Sajjan also extended his support to Hindu Canadians and Indians from all backgrounds, affirming that everyone deserves safety and welcome in their home, and such actions should not undermine their place and love for Canada.
