Protests At Temples Raise Safety Concerns: CoHNA

OTTAWA- The Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA), strongly condemned targeted protests by Canada-based Khalistani extremists (CBKE) outside Hindu temples in the Canadian cities of Brampton and Surrey, citing incidents of severe harassment.

According to CoHNA, the protests took place on April 5 during Hanuman Jayanti celebrations, when large numbers of Hindu devotees had gathered at temples across Canada.

It noted that, coinciding with Easter weekend and the Jewish festival Passover, the disruption went beyond the Hindu community, “unsettling neighborhoods” where families of multiple faiths were marking their religious observances.

Despite Canadian police-imposed buffer zones, CoHNA said devotees visiting the temples were harassed with graphic displays depicting the killing of a woman, while children were subjected to “loud, abusive slogans”.

Although authorities considered April 5 events as “orderly” due to police management, CoHNA warned against “equating crowd control with genuine public safety”.

While CBKE claims the protests target India’s activities at temples rather than Hindus themselves, CoHNA rejected the narrative. (IANS)