Khalistanis Vandalise Lakshmi Narayan Temple In Canada With Hate-Fueled Anti-Hindu And Anti-India Graffiti, Continue Targeting of Hindu Temples

A temple in Canada's British Columbia province was recently vandalised by two supporters of Khalistan, who defaced the temple with "anti-Hindu and anti-India graffiti". This unfortunate incident is part of a series of attacks on Hindu places of worship in the country.

The incident occurred at the Shri Lakshmi Narayan Mandir in Surrey, on Saturday at 12.29am. The temple, a prominent religious site, was targeted by individuals with a clear agenda of spreading hatred and division.

According to the temple's Facebook page, a male and a female intruded into the temple by jumping over the outside boundary. They intentionally placed Khalistan referendum posters on the main entry gate and the entrance of the Surrey Mandir, leaving a visible mark of their act of vandalism.

On 12 August 2023, a distressing incident occurred at the Temple late at night, at 12.29am. Two individuals, one male, and one female, intentionally entered the Temple premises and proceeded to paste #Khalistanreferendum Posters on the Main Entry Gate and Main Entrance of the Surrey Mandir, the Facebook page of the temple said.

The attacks on Hindu temples by Khalistan supporters in Canada have been strongly condemned by India. The country has called for action to be taken against those responsible for these acts.

The attacks on Hindu temples by Khalistan supporters in Canada have been strongly condemned by India. The country has called for action to be taken against those responsible for these acts.

"These Hate mongers and attention seekers haven't even left the Hindu Temple and disgraced Shri Lakshmi Narayan Mandir, Surrey by putting these posters on Mandir's main door that too by trespassing the Mandir's property," the temple website said.

It further stated, "If they are seeking justice, they should find legal means to get it and NOT by disgracing sacred places. We worship here and we need to maintain decorum here".

Hindu temples being vandalised in Canada is not a new occurrence.

In April, the BAPS Swaminarayan temple in Ontario province, Canada, was vandalised with "anti-Hindu and anti-India graffiti" by unknown individuals. This incident, described by the police as a "hate-motivated incident," caused outrage. In January, the Gauri Shankar temple in Brampton was also targeted with anti-India graffiti, sparking anger within the Indian community.

The defacing of the temple deeply hurt the sentiments of the Indian community in Canada, as expressed by the Indian Consulate General in Toronto.

At least three incidents of vandalism with similar characteristics occurred in Canada last year.

The Ministry of External Affairs has strongly condemned the increasing number of hate crimes against Indians and anti-India activities carried out by Khalistan supporters in Canada. They have urged for action to be taken against those responsible.

India's External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar, has expressed that India has requested partner countries such as Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States to not provide a platform for extremist Khalistani ideology. This ideology is deemed detrimental to the relations between countries.