Last update:04 November 2024, 3:28 p.m. IST

Government sources said hate crimes against Hindus in Canada are state-sponsored and no investigation into them has been conclusive since 2022 till date.

Graffiti attacks on Hindu temples are common in Canada. (X)

The Canadian government is supporting the Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) and Khalistani groups to make the Hindu minority community feel “unsafe” in Canada, top government sources told CNN-News18.

“Khalistan extremists enjoy full support of ISI drug money. The attacks on the two Hindu temples in one day – Laxmi Narayan Mandir in Surrey and the Brampton temple – had the support of Justin Trudeau’s government and were deliberately carried out during Diwali festivities,” they said.

The sources added, “It is nothing but the Canadian government and police officials trying to make Hindus feel inferior. All of these hate crimes are state-sponsored and there has been no conclusive investigation into them since 2022 to date. »

Since 2022, there have been at least 10 incidents of vandalism, arson or violence against Hindu temples in Canada.

2022

1. Vandalism at a Hindu temple in Toronto (January 2022)

2. Graffiti attack on a Hindu temple in Brampton (April 2022)

3. Arson at a Hindu temple in Hamilton (June 2022)

2023

1. Vandalism at the Windsor Hindu Temple (January 2023)

2. Graffiti attack on a Hindu temple in Mississauga (March 2023)

3. Break-in at Hindu temple in Surrey, British Columbia (June 2023)

2024

1. Vandalism at BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir in Edmonton (July 2024)

2. Attack on the Hindu Sabha Mandir in Brampton (September 2024)

3. Vandalism at a Hindu temple in Calgary (October 2024)

4. Violent clash at the Hindu Sabha Mandir in Brampton (November 3, 2024)

On Sunday, November 3, protesters waving Khalistan flags clashed with worshipers at a Hindu temple in Brampton, sparking condemnation from Trudeau who said every Canadian has the right to practice their faith freely and safely.

Relations between India and Canada took a hit after Prime Minister Trudeau linked senior Indian officials to the murder of Khalistan sympathizer Hardeep Singh Nijjar, an accusation New Delhi denies.

India maintains that the main issue between the two countries is Canada giving space to pro-Khalistan elements operating with impunity from Canadian soil.

India withdrew its high commissioner to Canada, Sanjay Verma, after security officials named him a “person of interest” in the Niijar murder investigation. India also expelled six Canadian diplomats, including Acting High Commissioner Stewart Ross Wheeler, on October 14. .