The Canadian National Council of Hindus (CNCH) and Hindu Federation, with the temple leaders and other Hindu advocacy groups, made it clear that Hindu temples and institutions across Canada would no longer allow politicians to use temple facilities for political purposes unless they showed "concrete efforts" in dealing with the serious issue of growing Khalistani extremism in the country.
It was issuing a strong directive following Sunday's attack on Hindu Canadians at the Hindu Sabha Temple in Brampton.
It happened on Sunday evening, Canada time, when Khalistani extremists attacked the Hindu-Canadian devotees inside the premises of the Hindu Sabha temple in Brampton, the videos of which have gone viral on social media and drawn worldwide condemnation, including from several leaders in Canada.
Under the government of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, attacks on Hindus have only increased at an alarming rate and underscore a distressing trend of religious intolerance pervading the country.
The violent attack in Brampton has raised serious concerns about the safety of Canada's Hindu community, said the CNCH.
According to the statement that the protesters reportedly gathered at the temple's main entrance, forcefully entered the premises and physically assaulted temple members and visitors, leaving the community shaken and demanding action as it issued on Monday, India time.
It said that Hindu Canadians have faced an increasing wave of violence in recent years and, despite repeated calls from community leaders for stronger security measures to protect Hindu places of worship, political leaders have failed to take substantial steps to address the growing hostility.
"Hindu temples and institutions across Canada will no longer allow politicians to avail of temple facilities for political reasons. Politicians from either side can, of course, still attend as devotees but are denied use of the platforms till such time they establish action that can stop or stem Khalistani extremism in some shape or form, added this directive to state that this decision will underpin the Hindu community's call for the protection of sacred spaces and also back the community's call to see concrete action on providing for protection and dignity to all Canadians.".
The Ontario Sikhs and Gurdwara Council, a social, cultural and religious umbrella body of Sikhs and Gurdwaras in Canada, also issued a statement condemning violence outside the Hindu Sabha Mandir in Brampton.
"OSGC strongly condemns the violence that broke out outside the Hindu Sabha Mandir on Gore Road in Brampton. There is no room for violence or intimidation in our community where the concepts of peace, harmony, and mutual respect go as close to our hearts as ever. Places of worship need to continue to serve as sacred sanctuaries of contemplation, devotion, and social bonding away from any semblance of violence or disorder. OSGC calls for restraint on the part of the involved parties and instead looks towards a path of conversation in order to live side by side in peace and dignity with all," concluded the statement.
According to the statement, the newest incident is a sad reminder to understand and respect each other's presence in the community.
"We call upon the local authorities to take this incident seriously as an affirmation that violence cannot happen in our community. We urge leaders and constituents to gather, uplift, and support one another for the creation of an atmosphere united and full of compassion. We shall unite against all violence for the realization of a peaceful community," the OSGC said.
