Wainwright Becomes First Canadian Town To Condemn Hinduphobia

India-West Staff Reporter

WAINWRIGHT, Alberta — The Town of Wainwright has made history by becoming the first municipality in Canada to formally condemn Hinduphobia and anti-Hindu bigotry, a move welcomed by the Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA) on October 7.

The proclamation, led by Mayor Bruce Pugh and supported by the Town Council, addresses anti-Hindu discrimination while reaffirming the community’s commitment to diversity, equal protection, and civil rights.

The declaration recognizes Hinduism, or Sanatana Dharma, as one of the world’s oldest and largest religions, practiced by more than 1.2 billion people across over 100 countries. It highlights the contributions of Canadian Hindus in public service, His Majesty’s Canadian Armed Forces, medicine, technology, academia, business, and community life, while celebrating the global impact of Hindu traditions such as Yoga, Ayurveda, meditation, music, and cuisine, which have enriched Canadian society.

“Canada’s Hindu community has long exemplified the values of hard work, family, education, and respect for the rule of law,” the proclamation states, calling Wainwright “a town that welcomes diversity and stands firmly against all forms of hate and discrimination.”

Rishabh Saraswat, president of CoHNA-Canada, praised the step, saying, “This historic move sends a powerful message that anti-Hindu hate has no place in Canadian society. As Hindus face rising bigotry—from online misinformation to temple vandalizations—formal recognition is vital to fostering inclusion and safety.”

The proclamation, a CoHNA press release said,  follows a growing concern over Hinduphobia. A 2021 Rutgers University report warned of rising online anti-Hindu discrimination and its potential to translate into real-world violence.

It noted, that in Canada, police-reported hate crimes against South Asians rose 227% between 2019 and 2023, with Hinduphobic slurs appearing in over 26,000 online posts between May 2023 and April 2025, according to the Institute for Strategic Dialogue.

“Formal recognition ensures hate incidents—whether against Hindu temples, students, or symbols—are understood, documented, and addressed,” said Roshan Prasad, CoHNA member from Wainwright.

The move mirrors similar actions in the U.S., where Forsyth County, Georgia, became the first jurisdiction to pass an anti-Hinduphobia resolution in 2023, the press release said.