Canada has strongly denounced the appearance of “offensive and hateful” online videos targeting Hindus of Indian origin, describing it as an “affront” to Canadian values and its citizens. The Ministry of Public Safety in Canada released a statement, emphasizing, “There is no place in Canada for hate. The circulation of an online video in which Hindu Canadians are told to leave Canada is offensive and hateful, and is an affront to all Canadians and the values we hold dearly.”
The Ministry has urged all Canadians to respect one another and uphold the rule of law. Earlier, members of the ‘Hindu Forum Canada’ had written to Canada’s Minister of Public Safety, Dominic LeBlanc, seeking security for the Hindu community in the face of direct threats from Khalistani elements. The forum expressed deep concerns over recent statements by designated terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, who urged all Indo-Canadian Hindus to leave the country amid diplomatic tensions related to the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
Canada’s Ministry of Public Safety emphasized, “Acts of aggression, hate, intimidation, or incitement of fear have no place in this country and only serve to divide us. We urge all Canadians to respect one another and follow the rule of law. Canadians deserve to feel safe in their communities.”
Minister Dominic LeBlanc condemned the dissemination of the hate video, affirming that such acts have no place in society. He tweeted, “All Canadians deserve to feel safe in their communities. The circulation of an online hate video targeting Hindu Canadians runs contrary to the values we hold dear as Canadians. There is no place for acts of aggression, hate, intimidation, or incitement of fear.”
Harjit Sajjan, a minister in Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s cabinet, expressed support for Hindu Canadians and Indians, stating, “Anyone who says you do not deserve to be safe & welcomed in your home does not embody the values of freedom & kindness we hold dear as Canadians.”
Canadian MP Chandra Arya raised concerns about extremist elements “attacking” and “threatening” Hindu-Canadians to return to India, calling on Hindu-Canadians to stay vigilant and report any untoward incidents to law enforcement agencies. He expressed dismay at the glorification of terrorism and hate crimes in the name of freedom of expression.
Tensions between India and Canada escalated when Trudeau alleged India’s involvement in the killing of Hardeep Nijjar in Surrey, British Columbia. India vehemently rejected these allegations, leading to diplomatic expulsions and the suspension of visa services for Canadian nationals.
The Ministry of External Affairs reiterated that Canada had not shared any information regarding Nijjar’s killing. During a news conference in New York, Canadian PM Trudeau once again failed to provide evidence to support the claims, but maintained there were “credible reasons” to believe India was connected to Nijjar’s death. Khalistan Tiger Force chief Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a designated terrorist in India, was fatally shot outside a Gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia, on June 18.
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