Surrey’s Lakshmi Narayan Mandir was also defaced

VANCOUVER Police are investigating the defacement of the Khalsa Diwan Society Vancouver’s gurdwara. Anti-India and pro-Khalistan slogans were spray-painted on the boundary walls on Saturday (April 19) morning.

Vancouver Police have security video that shows the suspects arriving in a vehicle at approximately 4:15 a.m. on Saturday and spray painting on the walls.

The community is appalled that certain people would behave in this manner during the joyous Vaisakhi celebrations this month.

Meanwhile, the Canadian Hindu Chamber of Commerce said on Sunday that it strongly condemned the vandalism of Lakshmi Narayan Mandir in Surrey on Saturday. “This act of Hinduphobia has no place in Canada. We urge swift action & ask all Canadians to stand united against hate. Silence is not an option,” it tweeted on Sunday.

On Monday, representatives of the Khalsa Diwan Society Vancouver, Surrey’s Lakshmi Narayan Mandir and Vancouver Police held a press conference.

Khalsa Diwan Society Vancouver said in a press statement said that on Saturday, April 19, “the Sikh community was saddened to learn that Ross Street Gurdwara had been vandalized.”

It added: “A small group of religious extremists had defaced the sacred walls with graffiti and divisive slogans. This disturbing act of vandalism is the culmination of recent extremist activity in the Lower Mainland.”

The Society said in the last 18 months, there have been:

– threatening and intimidating behaviour at the Vancouver Vaisakhi Kirtan in 2024

– distribution of extremist propaganda at the annual commemoration of Air India Flight 182 (all 329 passengers and crew were killed when a bomb exploded on board on June 23, 1985)

– burning of flags and intimidation during ‘life certification’ clinics at the Gurdwara

– theft of the holy scriptures from outdoor weddings

– online threats to the clergy and administration of the Society

“Khalsa Diwan Society was formed in 1906, not just as an institution of faith, but also as a place of advocacy. Advocacy for the right to vote, the freedom of religious expression, in addition to many other initiatives,” the Society said.

The Society’s Vice President, Jagdeep Singh Sanghera said: “Unfortunately, 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.”

Kashmir Singh Dhaliwal, the Society’s General Secretary, said: “We stand in solidarity with all those affected by the acts of these extremists and we collectively denounce this active campaign of extremism.”

Sanghera added: “We are thankful for the support we have received from the VPD in the interest of public safety. We are confident that the VPD will find those responsible for this reprehensible act.”