In another shocking incident, a Khalsa Diwan Society Gurdwara on Ross Street in Vancouver, Canada, was vandalised with pro-Khalistan graffiti.
Images of the vandalism, which went viral on social media, showed the word “Khalistan Zindabad” spray-painted multiple times on the wall surrounding the parking lot of the Gurdwara. Graffiti with anti-India slogans and death threats to Prime Minister Narendra Modi—such as “Kill Modi” and “Khalistan Zindabad” were also found on the walls.
According to Canadian media reports, the Vancouver Police Department is investigating the incident, which occurred on the morning of April 19.
As the investigation is underway, it is important to note that this Gurdwara has consistently taken a stand against Khalistanis and has promoted Hindu-Sikh unity.
Notably, on the same day, the largest Vaisakhi parade in the world took place in Surrey. The Khalsa Diwan Society had held its own Vaisakhi parade in Vancouver the previous weekend and had prohibited pro-Khalistan groups from participating in the event.
Later, in a statement, the Khalsa Diwan Society Gurdwara management said:, “A small group of Sikh separatists advocating for Khalistan defaced our sacred walls with divisive slogans like ‘Khalistan Zindabad’.”
“This act is part of an ongoing campaign by extremist forces that seek to instil fear and division within the Canadian Sikh community. Their actions undermine the values of inclusivity, respect, and mutual support that are foundational to both Sikhism and Canadian society,” the management added.
“These extremists are undermining the dreams and sacrifices of our elders, who worked tirelessly to create a strong, thriving community in a country that celebrates diversity and freedom. Their actions seek to divide us contrary to the unity and peace we hold dear as canadians. We cannot and will not let these forces of division succeed,” the statement reads.
They added, “What occurred on April 19th is not only an attack on our Gurdwara but also an assault on the legacy our ancestors built – a legacy grounded in hard work, unity, and peaceful coexistence.”
They further called on all Canadians, Sikhs and people of goodwill to stand together. “We must denounce these acts and reaffirm our shared commitment to the values of peace, unity, and respect. This attack is an attack on all of us – on the very unity that makes Canada strong. Let us unite against division and extremism, for the future we all share,” the management said.
Gurdwara spokesperson Jag Sanghera told CTV News that the vandalism was “extensive.”
“The incident occurred between midnight and 3 a.m. on Saturday, when a group of unidentified men arrived in a truck and spray-painted the slogans on the gates and outer walls of the Gurdwara,” said Joginder Sunner, the Gurdwara’s recording secretary while speaking to the media.
The Ross Street Gurdwara was established in 1906.
It is worth mentioning that in November 2023, the Khalsa Diwan Society in Abbotsford, British Columbia, faced reprehensible actions from Gurpatwant Singh Pannun’s extremist outfit, Sikhs for Justice (SFJ). The incident targeted a well-educated Sikh family—including a young couple, their child, and an elderly father who is a retired Indian official.
The Sikh family had visited the Gurdwara Sahib to obtain a life certificate for their elderly father—a necessary document for continued pension from the Government of India. The Consulate General of India in Vancouver had thoughtfully organised a free camp inside the Gurdwara at the request of the Gurdwara Management Committee. This was intended to help retired individuals avoid downtown Vancouver’s crowds, long queues, weekday congestion, and expensive parking.
Unfortunately, the family became victims of harassment and abuse by SFJ extremists simply because they attempted to pick up an Indian flag from the ground that was being disrespected by these goons.
Following the incident, Khalistani extremists gathered outside the Gurdwara, and eventually, the consulate team and officials had to be removed from the premises by police.
Afterward, the extremist group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) declared that wherever Indian officials go, Khalistani elements will attempt to “hold them accountable.” SFJ’s general counsel, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, stated that Khalistanis would challenge every Indian diplomat, claiming they are setting up spy networks under the guise of community programs.
The Ross Street gurdwara was not the only place of worship that targeted on April 19. The Lakshmi Narayan Mandir in Surrey, also in British Columbia, was also defaced with similar graffiti after the episode in Vancouver.
Temple spokesperson Parshotam Goel said their “assessment” was that these incidents were linked as along with the Ross Street gurdwara, the Lakshmi Narayan Mandir was at the forefront of an effort to forge unity between the Sikh and Hindu community in Canada.
“This is not a coincidence, this was done in a planned way. Somebody is trying to intimidate us,” he said. He said local law enforcement had been informed about the desecration of the temple.
Meanwhile, this is not the first such attack on Hindu temples or Gurdwaras in Canada. Multiple incidents have been carried out by Khalistani extremists involving anti-India slogans. In July 2024, extremists defaced the Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) Swaminarayan Mandir in Edmonton city in Alberta province of Canada. In the photographs, it could be seen that the wall of the Hindu temple vandalised with Hinduphobic, anti-Modi graffiti.
In April 2023, the BAPS Swaminarayan Temple in Windsor, Ontario, was vandalised with anti-India graffiti.
Earlier, in February 2023, the Ram Mandir in Mississauga was similarly defaced. The Consulate General of India in Toronto condemned the act and urged Canadian authorities to investigate and take prompt action against the perpetrators.
In January 2023, a Hindu temple in Brampton was defaced with anti-India graffiti, triggering outrage among the Indian community. The Consulate General of India in Toronto condemned the vandalism at the Gauri Shankar Mandir, stating that the act deeply hurt the sentiments of the Indian diaspora in Canada.
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