From January to December, from Canada to the United States of America, in cities and towns, there is an increasingly dangerous trend of strikes on the Indian soul in the West—the temples and gods of Indian Hindu people. In the latest such Hinduphobic attack, the BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir, a Hindu temple in Edmonton, was vandalized again in July 2024.
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BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir Vandalized
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The attacks on Hindus and their religious sites continue undeterred. Last year, on December 27, there was an attack on son of the President of the Lakshmi Narayan Mandir Temple in Surrey, Canada, where 15 shots were fired at him.
The vandalism of the sacred place of Hindus—the temple—has continued undeterred for years. If we only go by this year's events, in January, a Hindu temple in Brampton, Canada, was defaced. Ontario and British Columbia also saw these attacks in April and August.
Hinduphobia, Spreading Like Virus
The Indian Hindus, spread across the world, are a large section of people practising Hinduism peacefully. They pray to various Hindu gods and take pride in their contribution towards religious harmony in society. Yet, their religious places are attacked by radical, divisive Khalistani movement elements. Only because Indian Hindus stand by the unity and sovereignty of India, which Khalistani elements don't agree to.
The Khalistan movement, born in Canada and not supported by the majority of Indian Sikhs and Hindus, is a violent movement fighting for a separate country for Sikhs. It intends to separate Punjab (a state) from India. As Indian Hindus started openly opposing their agenda, Hindu temples became a target.
In December, these radical elements desecrated the Swami Narayan Hindu temple in the United States of America, and how can Indians forget the attack on the Vishnu Temple in Canada last year in December?
After every attack, there is a condemnation statement, yet there are minimal steps to eradicate hatred, racism, and intolerance.
In Canada, the level of hate and racism in some sections of the country was out in the open as they abused the Hindu God Lord Hanuman, which was built on private property by a Hindu man. The property owner now keeps 24/7 security for the Hindu God against vandalism.
The painful saga of Indian Hindus who peacefully work and practice their faith in countries like Canada and the USA needs thorough introspection.
The intolerance, racism, and hatred, Hinduphobia must end.
