Can't Understand Glorification Of Terrorism In Name Of Freedom Of Speech: Canadian Indian-Origin MP

Days after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged India's involvement in killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, Canadian Member of Parliament Chandra Arya on Wednesday (20 September) launched a scathing attack on his own Liberal party and PM Trudeau for allowing terrorism to flourish under the guise of freedom of speech.

Expressing his concerns in a video message, posted on X, formerly Twitter, on Wednesday, Arya said, "I can’t understand how glorification of terrorism or a hate crime targeting a religious group is allowed in the name of freedom of speech and expression".

Arya specifically highlighted recent events where Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, president of the banned organisation Sikhs for Justice, openly attacked Hindu Canadians, asking them to leave Canada and return to India.

"Few days back Khalistan movement leader in Canada and the president of Sikhs for Justice which organizes the so-called referendum Gurpatwant Singh Pannun attacked Hindu-Canadians asking us to leave Canada and go back to India. I have heard from many Hindu-Canadians who are fearful after this targeted attack. I urge Hindu-Canadians to stay calm but vigilant," Arya said.

He added that Pannun is trying to provoke the Hindu-Canadians to react and divide the Hindu and Sikh communities in Canada.

Arya also clarified that a "vast majority of our Canadian Sikh brothers and sisters do not support Khalistan movement".

He added that most Sikh Canadians "may not publicly condemn the Khalistan movement for several reasons but they are deeply connected to the Hindu-Canadian community".

He aslo referred to the recent attacks on Hindu temples in Canada and public declaration of the assassination of former Indian PM Indira Gandhi.

Noting that Canada has "high moral value" and upholds the rule of law, Arya said "I can’t understand how the glorification of terrorism or a hate crime targeting a religious group is allowed in the name of freedom of speech and expression".

"There would be an outrage in Canada if a white supremist attacked any group of racialized Canadians asking them to get out of our country. But apparently this Khalistani leader can get away with this hate crime," he added.

"Hindu Canadians keep a low profile and are considered soft targets. The anti-Hindu elements cannot digest the success of Hindu-Canadians," he added.

It should be noted that Arya has been at the forefront to raise awareness about issues impacting Hindu Canadians.

Last year, he accused "Khalistani extremists" for defacing the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir temple in Toronto.

In a notable achievement in November 2022, his private member bill, which declared November as Hindu Heritage Month, received unanimous approval in the House.

To commemorate this event, Arya hoisted a flag adorned with Aum on Parliament Hill, stating that Hindu Heritage Month celebrates the contributions of the 830,000 Hindu Canadians to the nation.

Shortly after the flag was raised, academicians from the Université du Québec à Montréal, Hindus for Human Rights, and the Canadian Council of Muslim Women voiced apprehensions that the flag was indicative of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), a political group.

Arya clarified that the flag stood for the Hindu religion and was not tied to any political organisation.

In his video message on Wednesday, he raised the flag issue, saying "Two well-organized groups claiming to represent their faiths have been attacking Hindu-Canadian community leaders, Hindu organizations and even me. For over ten months, I have been attacked for raising a flag with our Hindu religious sacred symbol Aum on our parliament hill".

"I again call upon Hindu-Canadians to stay calm but vigilant. As Canadians, we can be proud of our Hindu faith and heritage and our impressive contribution to the socio-economic success of our country Canada," he said.