Community organisations request MP support for Hinduphobia petition in Canada

Even as a petition for recognition of Hinduphobia in Canada is expected to be presented in Parliament in November, community organisations have written to all Canadian MPs seeking their support to make that possible.

The e-petition before the House of Commons, e-4507, closed on October 17, with 25,794 signatures, against just 500 required to get a response from the Government. It is expected to be presented before the House next month by Conservative Party MP Melissa Lantsman, who sponsored the petition.

It seeks recognition of Hinduphobia defined as anti-Hindu sentiment or Hinduphobia and denial, negation, prejudice or vilification against Hindus, Hinduism, or Hinduness.

The letter to the MPs was signed by Ragini Sharma, president of the Canadian Organization for Hindu Heritage Education or COHHE, and co-signed by 80 organisations including several temples.

“We do not seek any special status or consideration. We are only asking for equal protection, in par with treatment of other religious minorities as enshrined in the Canadian Charter and Human Rights Codes and anti-discrimination policies,” the letter stated.

The petition is being brought forward in November as that is also recognised as Hindu Heritage Month in Canada by the House.

The letter was sent on behalf of the nearly 850,000 Hindus in Canada, representing about 2.5 per cent of the population. It said they were “grateful to the Canadian Parliament for the unanimous support to the Hindu Community by the declaration of November as Hindu Heritage Month in 2021 to recognize the Hindu community’s significant contribution to the social, economic and cultural fabric of Canada. The month has offered opportunity for Hindus to educate fellow Canadians about our rich ancient heritage.”

“However, the Heritage Month does not have the mandate to address the growing Hinduphobia or anti-Hindu sentiment in Canada,” the letter said.

Over a dozen Hindu temples have been targeted with pro-Khalistan graffiti or anti-India posters since the summer of last year. Last month, the secessionist group Sikhs for Justice or SFJ released a video asking Hindus of Indian origin in Canada to leave the country.

A recent survey conducted of the Hindu-Canadian community this month by community organisations said there was an “unprecedented level of fear Canadian Hindus are living with”, as 89 per cent of the respondents were worried about their family and community’s safety, and security after SFJ’s threat. In addition, 98 per cent of respondents stated the response or actions of the Canadian Government towards the threat was “Poor or Very Poor”, while 96 per cent expected the Government to initiate criminal investigation and proceedings in that connection. Ninety per cent expected the Government to support the upcoming petition E-4507 in the House of Commons and enact stringent laws against Hinduphobia.

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