Canada moves forward with stronger laws to tackle rising hate crimes

Indo-Canadian community groups have cautiously welcomed a new bill introduced by the Canadian government to address hate crimes, especially those targeting people based on religion, identity, or community. The proposed legislation aims to prevent attacks on places of worship, schools, community centres, and other locations used by identifiable groups. It also seeks to hold offenders accountable for hate-motivated actions and make such crimes more clearly recognized under the law.

The bill comes after a series of violent incidents, including the attack on Hindu Sabha Mandir in Brampton by pro-Khalistan radicals in November last year. In addition, over 20 similar incidents have been reported where temples were desecrated across Canada in recent years. Indo-Canadian groups have consistently raised concerns about these attacks and have supported measures to enhance protection for religious and cultural communities.

The Ministry of Justice in Canada noted that the bill will make it a crime to deliberately intimidate or obstruct people from entering places of worship or community spaces. It will also criminalize actions that promote hatred against identifiable groups, including the public display of certain terrorism or hate symbols. These symbols include those associated with extremist groups such as Babbar Khalsa International and the International Sikh Youth Federation, both of which are considered terrorist organizations by the Canadian government.

Controversy over Nazi symbol vs Swastika

One of the most debated aspects of the bill concerns the Nazi Hakenkreuz or hooked cross. The legislation officially identifies this symbol as the Nazi Hakenkreuz and not as the swastika. This distinction is important because the swastika is a sacred symbol in Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism, representing prosperity, well-being, and spiritual good fortune.

Indo-Canadian organizations have campaigned strongly against calling the Nazi symbol a swastika, emphasizing that doing so misrepresents their religious traditions. The Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA) Canada welcomed the bill as a landmark measure to combat hate crimes and Hinduphobia, but opposed the linking of the Nazi symbol with the swastika.

Vijay Jain, president of the Vishwa Jain Sangathan Canada, highlighted that the use of the word swastika in the context of hate crimes undermines the religious rights of Hindu, Jain, and Buddhist Canadians. He explained that the swastika is an ancient Sanskrit word representing peace and prosperity, and its association with hate deprives religious communities of their traditional practices.

Despite these concerns, the Indo-Canadian groups largely support the bill because it strengthens laws against intimidation and hate propaganda. They stressed that the success of the bill will depend on how effectively it is enforced across Canada.

Bill aims to protect all communities

The bill was also inspired by the targeting of Jewish institutions and individuals following the October 7, 2023, terrorist attacks in Israel. By criminalizing public promotion of hate, the legislation seeks to protect all religious and cultural communities from discrimination and violence.

CoHNA Canada applauded key provisions of the bill, including the criminalization of intimidation at places of worship, schools, and community centres. The organization emphasized that attacks against Hindu temples in Canada have been numerous and increasingly violent, making such protections necessary.

The Vishwa Jain Sangathan Canada expressed support for the bill, while requesting amendments regarding the swastika terminology. Its members stressed the importance of religious freedom, noting that Hindu, Jain, and Buddhist Canadians should be allowed to use the swastika in prayers, rituals, and cultural activities without legal restrictions.

Provisions of the bill also include creating a hate propaganda offence, which will criminalize public displays of symbols associated with terrorist or hate groups. This is intended to prevent radical groups from spreading fear, intimidating communities, or recruiting followers through symbols of terror.

Indo-Canadian leaders stressed that while the bill is a step forward, its effectiveness will rely on vigilant implementation. They urged the Canadian government to enforce it strictly, ensuring that offenders face consequences and communities feel safe from hate-driven acts.

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The support for the bill demonstrates that Indo-Canadian groups are increasingly active in advocating for protection against hate crimes, while also protecting the integrity of their religious and cultural symbols. By carefully distinguishing between sacred symbols and symbols used by hate groups, the bill aims to balance freedom of religion with public safety.

Community leaders also hope the legislation will act as a deterrent for radical groups targeting religious institutions in the future. They emphasized that protecting places of worship and community centres is essential for cultural preservation and social harmony.

In conclusion, the new Canadian bill to combat hate crimes is broadly welcomed by Indo-Canadian organizations. They see it as a vital tool to address Hinduphobia, antisemitism, and other hate crimes, while also advocating for the correct identification of religious symbols such as the swastika. Community leaders are optimistic that the law will create a safer environment for all Canadians, but they stress that successful enforcement and public education will be key to its impact.