On Saturday, pro-Khalistan graffiti vandalized the Khalsa Diwan Society Gurdwara in Vancouver, Canada. Its administration has accused the vandalism of being committed by “extremist forces” in an effort to “instill fear within the Canadian Sikh community.”
Pro-Khalistan and anti-Indian graffiti was spray-painted on the historic gurdwara, also known as the Ross Street gurdwara.
“A small group of Sikh separatists, advocating for Khalistan, defaced our sacred walls with divisive slogans like ‘Khalistan Zindabad,'” the Gurdwara management said in a statement following the desecration.
“This act is part of an ongoing campaign by extremist forces that seek to instill fear and division within the Canadian Sikh community,” they added.
Gurdwara management’s Joginder Sunner told Hindustan Times that the incident occurred between midnight and 3 am on Saturday, describing it as a “painful moment” in the community’s history.
“A group of unidentified men arrived in a truck and then spray-painted the slogans on the gates and outer walls of the gurdwara,” he said.
In the statement, the gurdwara management also said that the 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,” it added.
The gurdwara, established in 1906, had organised the Baisakhi parade or ‘nagar kirtan’ – Khalsa Sajna Diwas “a day that symbolizes the strength, unity, and resilience of Sikhs” last weekend. They prohibited pro-Khalistan groups from participating in the event, which likely led to vandalism.
Vancouver Police says probe is on
The Vancouver Police Department said it is investigating the incident.
Sargent Steve Addison, spokesperson for the VPD, said police are investigating the graffiti at the Ross Street Temple, which included the word “murdabad”.
He said police do not have a suspect, but more information may be released later.
Hindu temple in Surrey also defaced
Following the Vancouver incident, similar graffiti was also used to deface the Lakshmi Narayan Mandir in Surrey, British Columbia.
Since the Lakshmi Narayan Mandir was leading an initiative to promote harmony between the Sikh and Hindu populations in Canada, temple spokesperson Parshotam Goel stated that their “assessment” was that these incidences were connected to the Ross Street gurdwara.
