Within days of a Sikh gurdwara defacement in Vancouver, British Columbia, a Hindu temple, Surrey’s Lakshmi Narayan Mandir was vandalised with pro-Khalistan graffiti. The two back-to-back incidents have prompted grave concern amongst religious communities as well as Canadian political leaders.
Photos shared on social media showed the walls of the Lakshmi Narayan Mandir covered with pro-Khalistan graffiti, another shocking case of religious desecration. The desecration was widely condemned, with Indian-origin Canadian Member of Parliament Chandra Arya strongly condemning it.
“Chilling Reminder” of Rising Extremism
Chandra Arya went on the social media site X to denounce the act. “The attacks on Hindu temples that started a few years ago continue unchecked today, this newest graffiti on the Hindu temple is another macabre reminder of the increasing grip of Khalistani extremism,” he posted.
? We strongly condemn the vandalism of Laxmi Narayan Mandir in BC by Khalistani extremists.
This act of #Hinduphobia has no place in Canada.
We urge swift action & ask all Canadians to stand united against hate.
? Silence is not an option.#CHCC #StopHinduphobia pic.twitter.com/flL0Or6Ezc
— Canadian Hindu Chamber of Commerce (@chcconline) April 20, 2025
“Organized, well-funded, and supported by considerable political influence, Khalistani forces are openly asserting their authority and getting away with silencing Hindu voices everywhere in Canada,” added Arya.
Vandalism of Ross Street Gurdwara in Vancouver
The Surrey incident came on the heels of desecration of the Ross Street Gurdwara, which is run by the Khalsa Diwan Society (KDS) in Vancouver. Slogans such as “Khalistan Zindabad” and graffiti that had the word “murdabad” were scrawled on walls, and it was indicated that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was also targeted by threats.
The Vancouver Police Department affirmed that it has initiated an investigation into the issue.
Arya noted that extremist activity was not confined to Hindu locations. “This Khalistani extremists have targeted Khalsa Diwan Society (Ross Street Gurdwara) in Vancouver with pro-Khalistan graffiti and intimidation tactics,” he mentioned.
The attacks on Hindu temples that began several years ago continue unabated today — this latest graffiti on the Hindu temple is yet another chilling reminder of the growing influence of Khalistani extremism.
Well-organized, well-funded, and backed by significant political clout,… https://t.co/0WfQdGgoNm
— Chandra Arya (@AryaCanada) April 20, 2025
“In a statement released following the desecration, KDS stated that a group of Sikh separatist extremists, supporting Khalistan, defiled our holy walls with divisive messages like ‘Khalistan Zindabad’,” he further stated.
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Khalsa Diwan Society Condemns Act
The Khalsa Diwan Society vehemently condemned the act of vandalism, describing it as part of “an ongoing campaign by extremist forces that seek to instill fear and division within the Canadian Sikh community.”
We urge all Canadians, Sikhs, and persons of goodwill to stand together against this extremism,” the Society stated. “We must condemn these acts and reassert our common commitment to the values of peace, unity, and respect. This attack is an attack on all of us — on the very unity that makes Canada strong.”
Rising Attacks on Religious Institutions
Arya encouraged both Hindu and Sikh communities to act with speed and solidarity. “It is time for Hindu-Canadians together with overwhelming majority of our Sikh-Canadian brethren and sisters to rise with speed and call for immediate, firm action from all levels of authorities in government. Silence cannot be an option,” he stated.
Canada has witnessed a rise in religious vandalism over the past few years. Previously, in 2025, the Sri Krishna Brundavana Temple in the Greater Toronto Area was also vandalized. In 2023, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also termed as abhorrent the vandalism of a Hindu temple in Brampton and urged the Canadian government to ensure the rule of law.
