Canadian Member of Parliament Chandra Arya has called on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government to recognize the threat posed by Khalistani extremism within Canada, emphasizing its impact on the Hindu community. Arya, a Hindu MP, shared his own experience of these concerns, stating that he was only able to safely attend a Hindu event in Edmonton under the protection of Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) officers due to a disruptive protest by Khalistani activists.
In a post on X, Arya highlighted the growing anxiety among Hindus across the country, urging the Canadian government to cooperate with nations affected by terrorism and extremism. He also criticized the political support enjoyed by Khalistani extremists in Canada, which, he said, has allowed the threat to persist.
Text of my statement:
I have heard concerns from Hindus across Canada regarding recent developments. As a Hindu Member
of Parliament, I too have experienced these concerns firsthand.
Last week, I could safely participate in a Hindu event in Edmonton only under the protection of… pic.twitter.com/mf7hhoxnEL— Chandra Arya (@AryaCanada) October 16, 2024
Addressing fellow Hindu-Canadians, Arya emphasized their contributions to Canada’s progress, noting that the community’s low profile should not be mistaken for weakness by politicians.
Arya’s appeal comes amid escalating diplomatic tensions between Canada and India following accusations from Trudeau that Indian government agents were involved in the assassination of Khalistani figure Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia. While testifying before the Canadian Parliament’s Foreign Interference Commission, Trudeau admitted that the claims were based on intelligence rather than hard evidence, prompting backlash from India.
In response, India’s Ministry of External Affairs condemned Trudeau’s “cavalier behaviour” and reiterated that Canada has yet to provide any concrete evidence to support the allegations. The ministry blamed Trudeau for the damage to India-Canada relations, asserting that responsibility for the diplomatic fallout lies solely with him.
