• By Mayukh Debnath
  • Wed, 24 Jul 2024 11:42 PM (IST)
  • Source:JND
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A prominent Indian-origin MP in Canada on Wednesday said the country was being "polluted" by Khalistani extremists who were "abusing" the freedoms guaranteed under the Charter of Rights. Chandra Arya, who belongs to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's Liberal party, made the remarks days after an incident of vandalism at a Hindu temple in the Canadian city of Edmonton.

The BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir in Edmonton was defaced with hateful graffiti targeting Arya and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, allegedly by pro-Khalistan elements. Taking to X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday, the Canadian parliamentarian shared a video released by India-designated Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, wherein the latter dictated Arya and his supporters to "move back" to India.

"In response to my condemnation of the vandalism of the Hindu temple BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir in Edmonton and other acts of hate and violence by Khalistan supporters in Canada, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun of Sikhs for Justice has released a video demanding me and my Hindu-Canadian friends to go back to India," Arya said in the post.

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He added, "We Hindus have come to our wonderful country Canada from all parts of the world. From every country in South Asia, many countries in Africa and Caribbean, and many other parts of the world, we have come here and Canada is our land."

"We have made and continue to make immense positive and productive contribution to the socio-economic development of Canada. With our long history of Hindu culture and heritage, we have enriched the multicultural fabric of Canada," the post read further. 

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The latest incident of vandalism of a Hindu place of worship in Canada adds to a string of similar incidents documented across the country in recent years. Last year, a Hindu temple in Windsor was defaced with anti-India graffiti.

The incident had sparked widespread condemnation and calls for action from both Canadian and Indian officials. New Delhi has repeatedly highlighted Ottawa's inaction against Khalistani extremists based out of Canada.

(With inputs from agencies)