A global advocacy organization, Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA), has strongly denounced the targeted protests by Canada-based Khalistani Extremists (CBKE) outside Hindu temples in Brampton and Surrey, Canada. The protests occurred during Hanuman Jayanti celebrations on April 5, disturbing not only the Hindu community but also families of various faiths observing Easter and Passover. Despite police-imposed buffer zones, devotees faced harassment with graphic displays and abusive slogans.
CoHNA emphasized that public safety should not be equated with crowd control, cautioning against downplaying genuine safety concerns. The organization urged authorities to consider the context and intent behind such actions, emphasizing the right to access places of worship without intimidation. While CBKE claims their protests target India’s activities at temples rather than Hindus, CoHNA rejected this narrative, asserting the autonomy of Hindu temples in hosting activities of their choice.
Highlighting a broader pattern of provocation and intimidation at Hindu temples, CoHNA pointed out the specific targeting of Brampton’s Triveni Mandir by Khalistani extremists. The organization underscored that Hindu temples, including Triveni Mandir, are autonomous institutions managed by the Caribbean Hindu community, refuting attempts to portray them as extensions of the Indian state. CoHNA called for a respectful approach towards places of worship and condemned any form of political confrontation at such sites.
