Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Hindu temple in Canada vandalised with anti-India graffiti

The Canadian Hindu Chamber of Commerce (CHCC) called the vandalism an attack on both the physical structure and the sentiments of the Hindu community.

Hindu temple in Canada vandalised with anti-India graffiti

A BAPS Swaminarayan Temple in Edmonton, Canada, has been vandalised with anti-India graffiti.

The Consulate General of India in Vancouver condemned the act, stating, “We condemn the defacing of BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in #Edmonton with anti-India graffiti. We have requested the Canadian authorities to investigate the incident and take prompt action against the perpetrators.”


The BAPS organisation, which operates the temple, has not yet commented on the incident. There are no reports of official actions regarding the vandalism that occurred on Monday morning.

Randy Boissonnault, member of parliament for Edmonton Centre, said, “Earlier today, the Edmonton BAPS Mandir was vandalised with paint, displaying hateful rhetoric on the walls of what should be a place of refuge. Hate has no part in Canada—much less in places of worship & prayer. This incident is wrong & goes against the values of our city.”

The Canadian Hindu Chamber of Commerce (CHCC) also responded, calling the vandalism an attack on both the physical structure and the sentiments of the Hindu community. They condemned the “senseless act of hate” and the “rising tide of Hinduphobia” across Canada, urging the government and local authorities to take immediate and effective measures against such acts.

The CHCC emphasised the need for a united effort to combat Hinduphobia and protect religious institutions. They noted previous incidents last year involving attacks on Hindu temples in Mississauga, Brampton, and Windsor, some featuring Khalistani referendum posters.

The latest vandalism in Edmonton has provoked strong reactions, including from elected officials. Chandra Arya, MP from Nepean, noted, “During the last few years, Hindu temples in the Greater Toronto Area, British Columbia and other places in Canada are being vandalised with hateful graffiti. Gurpatwant Singh Pannun of Sikhs for Justice last year publicly called for Hindus to go back to India.”

Arya added, “Khalistan supporters publicly celebrated in Brampton and Vancouver the assassination of prime minister Indira Gandhi and brandishing images of deadly weapons,” and called for Canadian law enforcement to address the issue seriously.

Terry Duguid, MP from Winnipeg South and parliamentary secretary to prime minister Justin Trudeau, expressed his sadness, stating, “I am deeply saddened to learn that the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Edmonton was vandalised today. Defacing a place of worship is a repulsive act that goes against Canadian values of tolerance and respect. This act of hate is completely unacceptable.”

The Hindu American Foundation also condemned the act, noting that the BAPS temple in Edmonton was defaced with slurs threatening Arya. They urged Canadian authorities to investigate the vandalism and remain vigilant, especially with the upcoming ‘Khalistan referendum’ in Calgary sponsored by Sikhs for Justice.

(With inputs from PTI)

More For You

british-muslims-iStock

The study noted that this identification was not due to any doctrinal obligation but was influenced by the perception that many Muslims do not feel fully accepted as British. (Representational image: iStock)

iStock

Majority of British Muslims identify by faith first, study finds

A STUDY by the Institute for the Impact of Faith in Life (IIFL) has found that most British Muslims identify primarily with their religion rather than their nationality.

The research, based on a survey of 815 British Muslim adults by Whitestone Insight, revealed that 71 per cent of respondents identified as Muslim first, while 27 per cent identified as British, English, or Scottish first.

Keep ReadingShow less
Car Tax Changes: EV Owners Now Required to Pay for the First Time

Owners of electric vehicles registered on or after 1 April 2025 will pay £10 for the first year, followed by the standard VED rate of £195 from the second year. (Representational image: iStock)

iStock

Car tax changes take effect: EV owners to pay for first time

FROM today, 1 April 2025, electric cars, vans, and motorcycles in the UK will be subject to Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) for the first time.

The change, introduced in the 2022 Autumn Statement by former Conservative Chancellor Jeremy Hunt, aims to make motoring taxation fairer.

Keep ReadingShow less
scotland-minimum-wages-iStock

Full-time workers on the National Living Wage will receive an annual pay increase of £1,400 in real terms. (Representational image: iStock)

iStock

Wage increase takes effect for thousands of workers in Scotland

HUNDREDS of thousands of workers in Scotland will see a pay increase as new National Living Wage and National Minimum Wage rates take effect from Tuesday.

The changes will benefit approximately 220,000 people, according to STV News.

Keep ReadingShow less
uk-energy-bill-iStock

Water bills, energy prices, and council tax are rising, while the minimum wage has also increased (Representational image: iStock)

iStock

April bill increases put financial strain on single parents

A RANGE of essential household bills are increasing from April, with Citizens Advice warning that single parents will be among the hardest hit.

Water bills, energy prices, and council tax are rising, while the minimum wage has also increased, BBC reported.

Keep ReadingShow less
Netflix drama Adolescence to be screened in UK schools
Stephen Graham and Owen Cooper in 'Adolescence'
Netflix

Netflix drama Adolescence to be screened in UK schools

THE NETFLIX drama Adolescence will be shown in UK secondary schools as part of efforts to address harmful online influences on young boys, officials announced on Monday.

The show has sparked debate over the impact of toxic and misogynistic content on the internet. Prime minister Keir Starmer met the show's creators, charities, and young people at Downing Street, calling the initiative an important step in starting discussions about the content teenagers are exposed to online.

Keep ReadingShow less