A Hindu temple in Canada‘s Surrey city was defaced with pro-Khalistan graffiti, a day after a similar incident occurred at a gurdwara in Vancouver city, media reports said.
The incident reportedly occurred in Surrey’s Lakshmi Narayan Mandir.
Videos that have gone viral on social media showed the walls of the temple being sprayed with pro-Khalistan slogans.
Journalist Daniel Bordman visited the temple and said it was vandalised by ‘Khalistanis’.
He said it was the third time the temple had been targeted.
“I went to the Lakshmi Mandir in Surrey that was vandalised last night by Khalistanis. This is the 3rd time it has been vandalised,” he wrote on X.
“I spoke to management and the devotees and they do not feel like the police or the political establishment cares at all,” he said.
Growing Khalistani Influence
Indian-origin Canadian politician Chandra Arya said the incident remained a chilling reminder about the ‘growing influence of Khalistani extremism’ in the country.
“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,” Arya wrote on X.
“Well-organized, well-funded, and backed by significant political clout, Khalistani elements are brazenly asserting their dominance and successfully silencing Hindu voices across Canada,” he said.
Gurdwara Attack
A gurdwara or Sikh temple in Canada’s Vancouver city was desecrated with pro-Khalistani graffiti on Saturday, prompting the police to investigate the incident.
The incident occurred at the Khalsa Diwan Society or KDS gurdwara in Vancouver.
The Society shared images of the desecrated wall on its X handle.
The Society wrote on the platform: “During Sikh Heritage Month & Khalsa Sanja Diwas – a time for celebration & unity – it is sad to see that elements of extremism continue to rear their ugly heads.”
The group has blamed a ‘small group of Sikh separatists’ for the incident.
“Their actions seek to divide us, contrary to the unity and peace we hold dear as Canadians. We cannot- and will not let these forces of division succeed,” the statement issued by the Society said.
“Let us unite against division and extremism,” read a statement issued by the Society.
According to reports, the graffiti was spray-painted across multiple places on the wall of the Sikh Temple.
(With inputs from IBNS)
