Hindu temple vandalized in Canada: BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir vandalized again in Edmonton amid growing concerns over extremist activity

Edmonton, July 23: In a disturbing repeat of targeted attacks on Hindu places of worship across Canada, the BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir in Edmonton has again been vandalized. Nepean MP Chandra Arya expressed deep concern over the escalating incidents of hate violence targeting Hindu Canadian communities.

“The Hindu temple BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir in Edmonton has been vandalized again. In recent years, Hindu temples in the Greater Toronto Area, British Columbia and other places in Canada have been vandalized with hateful graffiti,” Arya said in a post on X on Tuesday. Hindu temple desecrated in Canada Video: Pro-Khalistan supporters vandalize Lakshmi Narayan Mandir in Surrey with anti-India graffiti and ‘wanted’ posters of Indian embassy staff plastered on gate.

The latest attack follows a series of similar incidents documented in recent years, highlighting a disturbing trend of religious intolerance. Last year, a Hindu temple in Windsor was defaced with anti-Indian graffiti, sparking widespread condemnation and calls for action from both Canadian and Indian officials. Earlier incidents in Mississauga and Brampton saw temples similarly targeted, sparking strong reactions from Canada’s Indian community.

Arya, a Liberal MP known for his advocacy on multicultural issues, pointed to the impunity that Khalistani extremists enjoy in Canada, citing instances where their rhetoric has openly incited hatred and violence. “As I have always said, Khalistani extremists seem to get away with it easily with their public rhetoric of hatred and violence. Again, let me put this on record. Hindu Canadians are rightly concerned. Like a broken record, I again call on Canadian law enforcement agencies to take this issue seriously before this rhetoric is translated into physical action against Hindu Canadians,” Arya reiterated. Temple Vandalized in Australia: Pro-Khalistani elements vandalize BAPS Swaminarayan Temple in Sydney, hang ‘Khalistan flag’ on gate.

“Sikhs for Justice’s Gurpatwant Singh Pannun openly called for Hindus to return to India last year. Khalistan supporters in Brampton and Vancouver openly celebrated the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and brandished images of deadly weapons,” Arya added.

The incident was also addressed on social media by another Canadian political leader, who called the incident a display of “hateful rhetoric.” “Today, the Edmonton BAPS Mandir was defaced with paint, with hateful rhetoric plastered across the walls of what is supposed to be a place of sanctuary. Hate has no place in Canada – let alone in houses of worship and places of worship. This incident is wrong and goes against the values ​​of our city,” said Randy Boissonnault, a member of the Canadian House of Commons, in a post on X.

Canadian law enforcement agencies have been urged to take proactive measures to address these threats and ensure the safety and security of all religious communities in Canada. The incidents have led to renewed discussions about strengthening security measures around Hindu temples and improving efforts to combat extremist propaganda.

Meanwhile, several global reports have highlighted growing concerns about Khalistani sympathizers operating in Canada, with incidents often linked to calls for an independent Khalistan state in India’s Punjab region.

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