Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, currently campaigning for the April 28 federal elections, visited the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Toronto on April 5 to celebrate Ram Navami. Indo-Canadian Cabinet Minister Anita Anand welcomed him at the temple. She later wrote on X, “So pleased to welcome @markjcarney on his first visit to @bapstoronto to celebrate the birth of Lord Rama. A very Happy Ram Navami!” Liberal Party Members of Parliament from the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) also joined him.
Hindu Voters Hold Key Influence in Canadian Polls
There are around 600,000 eligible Hindu Canadian voters, according to media reports. They form influential voting groups in regions such as the Greater Toronto Area, Metro Vancouver, Calgary, and Edmonton. Political parties view their support as critical, especially in tight races.
Lingering Tensions with Liberal Party
Although PM Carney has made efforts to connect with Hindu voters, tensions between the Hindu community and the ruling Liberal Party remain. A major concern is the party’s perceived leniency toward Khalistani extremism. This stance has triggered anxiety within the Hindu population in Canada.
Chandra Arya’s Candidacy Revoked
The Liberal Party recently revoked the candidacy of Indo-Canadian MP Chandra Arya, citing unspecified “new information.” Arya has consistently spoken out against Khalistani separatism and has faced backlash from Khalistani groups. In October, US-based terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun even called on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to act against Arya. In a post on X, Pannun claimed Arya was “spewing venom” against the Khalistan movement and accused him of being “a mouthpiece of India.”
Attacks on Hindu Temples Raise Concerns
Several attacks on Hindu temples in Canada have worsened the community’s concerns. Just last week, police launched a search for two individuals who vandalized the Sri Krishna Brundavana Temple in the GTA. CCTV footage showed them tearing down a sign at the temple’s entrance.
In September 2023, the banned pro-Khalistan group Sikhs for Justice urged Hindus to leave Canada. Gurpatwant Pannun declared, “Indo-Hindu leave Canada; go to India. You not only support India but you are also supporting the suppression of speech and expression of pro-Khalistan Sikhs,” in a video message.
Hindu Canadian Foundation Responds
In response to Carney’s temple visit, the Hindu Canadian Foundation released a statement highlighting ongoing issues faced by the Hindu community. It said, “The past few years have posed significant challenges for the Hindu community, which numbers over a million.” The statement added, “The recent surge in anti-Hindu sentiment, fuelled by rising separatist groups, has deeply affected every Hindu Canadian. Addressing these pressing issues will be a critical focus for the upcoming Government.”
