Canadian MP Chandra Arya Takes Aim At Trudeau Government Over Tolerance Of Hate Crimes

Canadian Member of Parliament Chandra Arya, from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's own party, has criticised the Canadian government for permitting hate crimes under the guise of freedom of speech and expression.

Arya raised his concerns in a video message, questioning how acts of terrorism glorification or hate crimes against religious groups could be justified as freedom of speech.

Arya specifically called out Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the president of the banned organisation Sikhs for Justice, for openly attacking Hindu Canadians and urging them to leave Canada.

Arya believes Pannun's actions aim to incite reactions from Hindu Canadians and create divisions within the Hindu and Sikh communities in Canada.

Arya emphasised that most Sikh Canadians do not support the Khalistan movement and maintain strong connections with the Hindu-Canadian community through family relationships and shared social and cultural ties.

He expressed concern about recent attacks on Hindu temples and the celebration of the assassination of prime minister Indira Gandhi, questioning how such acts could be allowed under the banner of freedom of speech and expression, given Canada's commitment to the rule of law.

Arya pointed out the hypocrisy of the situation, highlighting that if a white supremacist attacked any racialised group in Canada, there would be outrage. However, Khalistani leaders seem to commit hate crimes without facing the same level of condemnation.

Maninder Gill, president of Friends of Canada and India Foundation Surrey, supported Arya's stance and called for a distinction between liberty and licence.

Chandra Arya has actively raised awareness about issues affecting Hindu Canadians, such as the vandalism of Toronto's BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir.

He also successfully introduced a private member's bill designating November as Hindu Heritage Month in 2022.