Canadian Ministers Condemn SFJ Video Targeting Hindus of Indian Origin
Canadian ministers have taken a strong stance against a recent video released by Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), a pro-Khalistan organization, in which they issued threats to Hindus of Indian origin residing in Canada. The ministers expressed their concern for the safety and well-being of the Hindu community in Canada and condemned the offensive content of the video.
Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc emphasized the importance of ensuring that all Canadians feel secure in their communities. He firmly stated, “All Canadians should feel secure in their neighborhoods. The dissemination of a hate movie online that targets Hindu Canadians goes against the principles we uphold as Canadians. Similar language was used by his department to condemn the video as “offensive and hateful.”
Emergency Preparedness Minister Harjit Sajjan echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the values of freedom and kindness that Canadians hold dear. He sent a message of support to Hindu Canadians and Indians from various backgrounds, stating, “To Hindu Canadians and Indians from all backgrounds: Anyone who says you do not deserve to be safe & welcomed in your home does not embody the values of freedom and kindness we hold dear as Canadians. Do not let others delegitimize or question your place and love for Canada.”
In response to the video, the organization Canadian Hindus for Harmony called for strict action against those responsible for its creation and distribution. They urged the Canadian government to treat this incident as a hate crime and take prompt action.
SFJ's legal counsel, Gurpatwant Pannun, made a video statement that went viral, in which he urged “Indo-Hindu” individuals to leave Canada and accused them of supporting the suppression of speech and expression of pro-Khalistan Sikhs. He also alleged that they were promoting violence by celebrating the assassination of SFJ's principal figure, Hardeep Singh Nijjar, on June 18. It's worth noting that Pannun has been designated as a terrorist in India.
The Canadian Organization for Hindu Heritage Education launched an e-petition, e-4507, which has garnered over 12,500 signatures. The petition calls for the inclusion of “Hinduphobia” in the glossary of terms in the Human Rights Code to describe prejudice and discrimination against Hindus.
The Hindu Community of Canada urged Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to publicly condemn the video. They called upon him to not only react but also take concrete action, emphasizing Canada's commitment to the rule of law.
The organization highlighted that over the past year, pro-Khalistan elements have desecrated at least a dozen temples in Canada, yet no arrests have been made by Canadian law enforcement agencies in connection with these incidents. To address these concerns, they announced the launch of a Hinduphobia incident reporting helpline, aiming to provide support to those who have faced hateful incidents and encourage them to report to local law enforcement agencies.
In conclusion, Canadian ministers and various Hindu organizations have come together to denounce the SFJ video and call for the protection and safety of the Hindu community in Canada. They have urged the government to take concrete action against hate crimes and uphold the values of freedom and inclusivity that Canada stands for.
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