Indian-Americans made the demand after a derogatory video from a pro-Khalistan group threatening Hindus in Canada with expulsion went viral.
WASHINGTON: An influential organisation of Indian-Americans has criticised the blatantly anti-Hindu remarks and the hostile environment in Canada. They have also urged Ottawa not to conflate freedom of expression with freedom from terrorism and to avoid endorsing hate crimes by remaining silent on the matter.
Indian-Americans made the demand after a derogatory video from a pro-Khalistan group threatening Hindus in Canada with expulsion went viral.
"It is alarming to witness Khalistani terrorists continually posing a threat to Canadian Hindus by vandalising and desecrating their sacred sites. According to Professor Indu Vishwanathan, co-founder and co-director of the Understanding Hinduphobia at the Hindu University of America, "silence in the face of such blatant Hinduphobia, or worse, the justification that this is an acceptable form of political expression, is tantamount to the endorsement of hate crimes.
"Justin Trudeau, the prime minister of Canada, shouldn't combine freedom of speech and freedom to commit acts of terrorism. He should instead end radicalization, drug gangs, and handle international problems professionally, according to a media statement from Khanderao Kand of the Foundation for India and Indian Diaspora Studies (FIIDS).
The Khalistani video emerged days after Trudeau claimed on September 18 that Indian operatives may have been involved in the murder of Canadian citizen and Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar on Canadian soil on June 18 in British Columbia.
India vehemently denied Trudeau's accusations, calling them "absurd" and "motivated."
There was no action taken against anyone in relation to the film, despite the Canadian government's declaration that acts of aggression, hate, intimidation, or inciting of fear had no place in Canada.
Dr. Sampath Shivangi, the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin's chair of government affairs, has pleaded with US President Joe Biden and the US Congress to take action and urge Canada to offer adequate protections to Canadian Indians, Hindus, and thousands of Indian students.
Bharat Barai, a well-known Indian American activist in Chicago, responded to worries that this hostility would spread to the US by saying, "I doubt it will spread. We need to be composed but watchful.
Khalistanis are a relatively small, deceived minority that ISI has encouraged to engage in violent crime, including the trafficking of drugs and people.
Sukhi Chahal, the editor-in-chief of Khalsa Today, distinguished between Sikhism and the hateful extremists, declaring: "As a Sikh, I firmly believe in the teachings of our Gurus, which emphasise the unity of all humanity."
"True Sikh principles are not reflected in statements like the one made by Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the leader of the outlawed group Sikhs for Justice. Let's unite to promote peace and respect between all communities, he urged.
The editor of the US-based PGurus portal, Sri Iyer, commented on recent threats made against Hindus and Indians by saying: "There is a thin line between freedom of speech and hate speech, and Gurpatwant Singh Pannun crossed it when he threatened Hindu Canadians."
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