In the wake of violent clashes at the Hindu Sabha Temple in Brampton on November 3, Member of Parliament Chandra Arya has issued a strong condemnation of the incident, while criticizing fellow politicians for inaccurately portraying the confrontation as a Hindu-Sikh dispute.
Speaking out on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Arya stated, “On behalf of Hindu-Canadians and the vast majority of Sikh-Canadians, I again strongly condemn the attack by Khalistani extremists on Hindu devotees at the Hindu Sabha temple in Brampton.” He went on to accuse political figures of deliberately obscuring the true nature of the conflict by failing to identify Khalistanis as the perpetrators, instead framing the situation as a broader communal issue between Hindus and Sikhs.
My statement on Hindu and Sikh Canadians:
— Chandra Arya (@AryaCanada) November 8, 2024
On behalf of Hindu-Canadians and the vast majority of Sikh-Canadians, I again strongly condemn the attack by Khalistani extremists on Hindu devotees at the Hindu Sabha temple in Brampton.
Politicians are deliberately avoiding recognizing… pic.twitter.com/386gTHHijO
Arya emphasized the longstanding unity between Hindu and Sikh communities, highlighting their shared family ties and cultural bonds. “Throughout history, Hindus and Sikhs have been connected through family relationships and shared social and cultural ties,” he remarked. He urged both communities to stand together against divisive political narratives, asserting, “We, as Hindus and Sikhs, will not and should not allow vested interests to divide us for their political gain.”
The MP further clarified that the violence was not a reflection of Hindu-Sikh relations but rather a clash between Hindu-Canadians and Khalistani extremists. “Politicians are portraying Hindus and Sikhs as opposing sides regarding the attack on the Hindu temple. This picture is simply not true. The two sides are actually Hindu-Canadians and the vast majority of Sikh-Canadians on one side, and Khalistanis on the other,” Arya explained.
Highlighting the influence of Khalistani supporters within certain Canadian gurdwaras, Arya cited Sikh community leader and former British Columbia Premier Ujjal Dosanjh. According to Arya, Dosanjh stated that a “silent majority of Sikhs do not want to have anything to do with Khalistan and that they just don’t speak out because they’re afraid of violence and violent repercussions.” Dosanjh also pointed out that many gurdwaras in Canada are under the control of Khalistani factions, a situation Arya believes contributes to the misrepresentation of the community’s stance.
Addressing the fears that may silence the Sikh majority, Arya encouraged Sikhs to exercise their democratic power through voting to influence political outcomes. “Due to the deliberate actions of some politicians and the influence of Khalistanis, Canadians now mistakenly equate Khalistanis with Sikhs,” he stated. “Hindus and Sikhs alike must educate Canadians that we stand united in our fight against Khalistani extremists and their political backers.”
Arya’s statement comes at a critical time as Canada grapples with internal divisions and the challenges posed by extremist groups. His call for unity and accurate representation aims to bridge gaps and ensure that the true nature of such conflicts is understood by the broader Canadian populace.
As the investigation into the November 3 incident continues, community leaders from both Hindu and Sikh backgrounds have echoed Arya’s sentiments, advocating for solidarity and a clear distinction between peaceful communities and extremist factions seeking to sow discord for political purposes.
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author. They do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of Khalsa Vox or its members.
