Letters (4) of Protestations about the attack on Hindus in Bangladesh

Message from The Hindu Community: Condemnation of the Attack on Israel by Hamas



Letter to PM Trudeau Regarding Safety of Hindus

Graffiti At Ram Mandir

Charges Laid in Break and Enters at Places of Worship



Region of Peel – Investigators from the 21 Division Criminal Investigation Bureau have laid a total of 78 charges against three men, after a series of break and enters occurred at places of worship, from multiple faiths, in Brampton and Mississauga.

Between November 2021 and March 2022, the suspects gained access into buildings, proceeded to remove cash from donation boxes inside of the premises, and subsequently fled the area. Numerous officers have been assigned to the investigation, and on March 3, 2022, the following individuals were arrested and subsequently charged:

Jagdish Pandher, a 39-year-old man from Brampton, has been charged with:

Disguise with Intent x13

Break, Enter and Commit an Indictable Offence x13

Gursharnjeet Dhindsa, a 31-year-old man from Brampton, has been charged with:

Disguise with Intent x13

Break, Enter and Commit an Indictable Offence x13

Parminder Gill, a 42-year-old man from Brampton, has been charged with:

Disguise with Intent x13

 Break, Enter and Commit an Indictable Offence x13

All three men will appear at the Ontario Court of Justice in Brampton on March 4, 2022 for a bail hearing.

Investigators are continuing to search for a known fourth suspect while a warrant for his arrest is being sought, and are urging him to speak with legal counsel and arrange to speak with officers.

 At this time, the investigation is still ongoing and there is no indication that these crimes are hate-motivated. However, all possible motives will continue to be considered as this investigation progresses. Members from our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Bureau and our Crime Prevention Services, have continued to provide proactive prevention support to reduce further break-ins and financial loss.

Anyone with information on these incidents is asked to contact investigators at the 21 Division Criminal Investigation Bureau at 905-453–2121, extension 2133. Anonymous information may also be submitted by calling Peel Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or visiting peelcrimestoppers.ca.

For media inquiries, please contact the on-duty Public and Media Relations Officer at 905- 453-2121, extension 4027. Subscribe to us on YouTube and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, TikTok and Instagram.

N/R: 22-038.3

Inc: PR21-0382749

A Safer Community Together -30-

Report from Pandit Roopnauth Sharma on the meeting held on February 16, 2022 by The Peel

Regional Police with respect to the break ins and thefts at places of worship (refer to

agenda below)

I. We were informed that eight incidents have been investigated at Hindu temples and that

other religious groups have reported similar incidents in the region. ( three churches, Jain

Temples (two break ins at same location) and one Gurdwara)

II. There is a dedicated Police Task Force established to focus on this matter. The investigation is

ongoing and evidence is being gathered with the hope to apprehend the

individuals responsible for the break ins and thefts.

III. There has been no concrete evidence to indicate that the incidents under investigation are

anything else than break ins and theft.

IV. There is firm commitment from the Chief and the entire force to address the matter and bring

it to closure with the assurance that the Police force in Peel Region is always vigilant in its

efforts to protect places of worship.

V. Peel Regional Police Divisional Mobilization Officers have visited all impacted Temples

providing crime prevention information and safety tips.

VI. Anyone who may have information on these incidents can submit an anonymous tip by calling

Peel Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or visiting peelcrimestoppers.ca.

Peel Regional Police

Overview and Discussion – Hindu Temple Break & Enters

Wednesday, February 16, 2002

7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Virtual - WebEX

Meeting Agenda

VII. Introductions and Opening Comments:

• Chief Nishan Duraiappah – Peel Regional Police
• Chair Ron Chatha – Peel Police Services Board
• Mayor Patrick Brown – City of Brampton
• Mayor Bonnie Crombie – City of Mississauga
• Pandit Roopnauth Sharma - President – Hindu Federation
• Smt. Apoorva Srivastava – Consul General of India, Toronto

VIII. Investigative Overview:

• A/Superintendent Raff D’Angela & Detective Tom Morrow

IX. Regional Mobilization Unit (Reassurance Protocol) Overview:

• Superintendent Mark Dapat

X. Open Discussion & Round Table:

• All participants

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

                                                                       Letter to chief of police

February 12, 2022

Chief of Police Nishan Duraiappah

22 Division

7750 Hurontario St

Brampton, ON L6V 3W6

Email: 22div.communitystation@peelpolice.ca

Dear Chief Nishan Duraiappah.

As you are aware there have been a series of break ins /robberies and attempted break ins at Hindu temples in the Peel and surrounding regions over the past three weeks.

The following temples have been affected; The Hindu Heritage Center Mandir on Mississauga Road; Chintpurni Mandir on Steeles Ave.; Hanuman Mandir, Gauri Shankar Mandir, Jaggernath Mandir, Bharat Mata Mandir, The Mississauga Ram Mandir on Export Boulevard and several others in the regional area.

The Hindu Community in these regions are all very concerned of the threat, fear, property damage and financial loss these incidents are causing. We are extremely concerned for the safety of our priests, personnel and our congregations. There is also an opinion expressed by some members of our congregation that this may be a targeted attack on Hindu places of worship.

In spite of heightened security measures, there have been multiple attempts at some of these temples. Not all temples have security systems; we are encouraging the temples to secure their premises by installing systems

Reports have been made to the relevant police departments and statements have been taken. However, it seems that they have not been able to make much progress in stopping these criminal actions. In the interest of addressing this issue I have also had phone conversations with Mayors Patrick Brown and Bonnie Crombie.

As a result of this I am appealing to you to convene a round table discussion with Temple leaders. This will give them an opportunity to express their concerns and you can update them on the progress of the ongoing investigations on these matters. I further believe that such a meeting will give some form of comfort to the victims of these criminal actions.

I would be happy to coordinate this with the temples should you agree to convene such a meeting.

I look forward to your response.

Sincerely

Pandit Roopnauth Sharma

President

cc. Mayor Bonnie Crombie

cc. Mayor Patrick Brown

Update by Pandit Roopnauth Sharma, President of Hindu Federation, on steps taken to address

the concerns of Hindus about the reference to the Swastika as a symbol of hate (Re

Proposed Bill C-229)

• On February 5, 2022, a joint letter (attached) written by myself and Richard Marceau the Vice-President, External Affairs & General Counsel for the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs. was sent to national news outlets and other news media.

• On February 7, 2022, the attached letter was sent to The Prime Minister, The Right Honorable, MR. Justin Trudeau, M.P. Anita Anand, M.P. Chandra Arya, and M.P. Gary Anandasangaree.

• On February 24, 2022, Jay Jayaraman (Secretary of Hindu Federation) and I had a conference call with M.P. Peter Julian, who tabled the draft of Bill C 229 in the House of Commons. He listened attentively to our concerns and was most receptive to our suggestion on this matter. He is very much aware of the fact that Swastika is a revered important symbol for Hindus, Buddhists and Jains. After listening to our concerns of naming "Swastika" in the proposed Bill as one of the Symbols of hate, he committed to replace the word Swastika in the proposed Bill with the word "Nazi Hooked Cross". I attach a copy of his email below, which is self explanatory.

Dear Mr. Pandit Roopnauth Sharma,

Thank you so much for speaking with me today regarding my private member’s bill C229 - An Act to amend the Criminal Code (banning symbols of hate). I understand that you and members of the federation have concerns about the fact that the bill is specifically worded to say that it would ban the Nazi “Swastika”. This proposed legislation amends the Criminal Code to broaden the provisions relating to hate propaganda by making it an offense to publicly display, sell or offer for sale visual representations that promote or incite hatred or violence against an identifiable group. The Bill specifically names symbols of hate such as the Nazi emblems, Nazi flags and military dress. It also prohibits insignias of the Ku Klux Klan and the flags and emblems of the Confederate States of America and their military dress as symbols of hate. As such, the passage of the Bill into law would ban the use of those specific symbols to promote or incite hatred or violence against an identifiable group.

I understand that the symbol of the swastika is revered in important religions including Buddhism, Jainism, and Hinduism. Bill C-229 does not conflate all swastikas with the Nazi swastika. The Bill only names the Nazi swastika, a right-facing ('clockwise') form of a swastika used as an emblem of the “Aryan race” by Nazi Germany. The Bill does not in any way ban or otherwise limit the use of swastikas for religious, educational and or historical purposes. Given the important discussion that we have had today, and understanding the important views of the Hindu Federation of Canada, when the bill comes to consideration in the House of Commons, I commit to amend Bill C-229 by replacing the word “swastika”

with “hooked cross” after the word “Nazi”.

Thank you once again for reaching out to me regarding the wording of this bill. I am

grateful that you and your organization will support this important legislation to eliminate

hate symbols in Canada.

Sincerely,

Peter Julian, MP

New Westminster - Burnaby

• On March 4, 2022, the attached Brief was submitted to the Standing Committee on

Canadian Heritage.

Banning the Swastika: Safeguarding Holiness and Fighting Hate

Pandit Roopnauth Sharma is the President of Hindu Federation. Richard Marceau is the Vice-President, External Affairs & General Counsel for the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs.

Last week, on Parliament Hill, in the very heart of our nation’s capital, Canadians were stunned to see hate symbols such as Nazi emblems and Confederate flags being flown.

In reaction, NDP MP Peter Julian tabled Bill C-229, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (banning symbols of hate).

We are living in a troubling time of rising racism, which targets both our communities. That is why we, representatives of the two oldest religions on the planet, support this legislative initiative.

Hate has no place in Canada, period. However, in contemplating the banning of the swastika, great

care is required.

The swastika: A holy Hindu symbol...

As the 2008 Declaration of the Second Hindu-Jewish Leadership Summit mentioned, the “Svastika is an ancient and greatly auspicious symbol of the Hindu tradition. It is inscribed on Hindu

temples, ritual altars, entrances, and even account books.”

In fact, in Sanskrit, the word swastika means “that which brings good luck and well-being”: su means “good” and asti means “is.”

The swastika is also holy for Buddhists, Jains and Zoroastrians. This ancient and rich tradition must be respected and honoured, while at the same time addressing the Nazi misappropriation and twisting of the symbol into an emblem of racism and hate.

...And a hate symbol for Jews

For Jews, the Nazi swastika is forever linked with the German National Socialist project to literally exterminate and erase the Jewish people. It is a symbol synonymous with antisemitism.

Unfortunately, to this day, more than 75 years after Hitler’s demise, it is a rallying emblem for antisemites around the world.

It is spray painted on synagogues, drawn on walls or desks at schools, and painted on community centres to intimidate, harass, and sow fear. It is etched into stone to desecrate Jewish graves. It is used in Holocaust inversion to demonize Jews and Israel as a cosmic evil force in the world, like the Nazis, to be destroyed.

Combatting Hate While Spreading Holiness

As Parliament considers Mr. Julian’s bill, it must make sure that the context of the use of the swastika is carefully considered. We cannot allow the Hindu symbol of goodness to be erased as we take steps forward to stamp out hate.

The bill should be amended to ensure that proper use of the swastika for religious purposes by Hindus, Buddhists, Jains and Zoroastrians is protected, and remains completely legal in Canada.

It is absolutely possible, indeed it is essential, to combat Jew hatred while making sure the rights of Hindu, Buddhist, Jain and Zoroastrian Canadians to use their benevolent and sacred symbols are respected.

February 7, 2022

The Right Honorable Justin Trudeau, P.C., M.P.

Prime Minister of Canada

Office of the Prime Minister and Privy Council

80, Wellington Street,

Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A2

PM@pm.gc.ca

RE: Bill C- 229, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (banning symbols of hate)

Dear Honourable Prime Minister Justin Trudeau,

I am writing today to bring our Hindu Community’s concerns on Bill C-229 (the “Bill”), An Act to amend the Criminal Code (banning symbols of hate).

Last week, on Parliament Hill, in the very heart of our nation’s capital, Canadians were stunned to see hate symbols such as Nazi emblems and Confederate flags being flown. Hate has no place in Canada, period. However, in contemplating the banning of the “Nazi Swastika”, great care is required.

The Svastika is an ancient and greatly auspicious symbol of the Hindu tradition. It is inscribed on Hindu temples, ritual altars, entrances, and even account books -.”in fact, in Sanskrit, the word swastika means “that which brings good luck and well-being”: su means “good” and asti means “is.”

The Swastika is also holy for Buddhists, Jains and Zoroastrians. This ancient and rich tradition must be respected and honored, while at the same time addressing the Nazi misappropriation and twisting of the symbol into an emblem of racism and hate. Hindu leaders had discussed the issue with Jewish leaders at a 2008, Hindu-Jewish leadership summit in Jerusalem resulting in a declaration recognizing the importance and positive intent of Hindus using the Swastika.

As Parliament considers Bill C-229, it must ensure that the context of the use of the Swastika is carefully considered. We cannot allow the Hindu symbol of goodness to be impacted as we take steps forward to stamp out hate. The Bill should be amended to ensure that proper use of the Swastika for religious purposes by Hindus, Buddhists, Jains and Zoroastrians is protected, honored, and remains completely legal in Canada.

It is absolutely possible, indeed it is essential, to combat Jewish hatred while ensuring the rights of Hindu, Buddhist, Jain and Zoroastrian Canadians to use their benevolent and sacred symbols are respected.

Thank you for the opportunity to bring Hindus views on the Bill and I hope that our concerns are helpful to Parliament in making appropriate amendments to it.

Sincerely,

Pandit Roopnauth Sharma

President.

November 27, 2021

Attention: Paul Hambleton

Director, Journalistic Standards CBC

Re: Biased and negative news about Hindus.

Dear Mr. Hambleton,

I am writing to you with respect to the captioned matter and the efforts of our affiliate organization, Dwarapalakas, to bring this matter to your attention. The Hindu Federation is an umbrella body, whose members include 20 Hindu temple organizations in the GTA, together with affiliated Hindu temples across Canada. We represent approximately 25% of the approximately 1.25 million Hindus who live in Canada who are connected to our temples, as well as the general Hindu public, on all matters relating to Hindus in Canada.

Based on the information gathered by Dwarapalakas of your reporting, and subsequent discussions

via google video chat, it was evident that your reporting of matters relating to Hindus was negatively biased.

We believe that this type of reporting is inflammatory and has caused great anxiety and fear in the minds of Hindus and created an atmosphere of Hindu phobia. We strongly request that you take corrective measures to avoid such reporting in the future and also to seriously consider some form of positive actions that will help to mend the wounds caused by the past biased and negative reporting. I very much appreciate your consideration of our concerns and look forward to your

response.

Sincerely

Pandit Roopnauth Sharma

President.

Hindu Federation’s response to Reporting by CBC News

November 2021

Our Issue Response Team ( IRT) - mainly the executive body, was activated recently to represent the Hindu Community in Canada on a matter that involved the CBC. We became engaged with an affiliate organization (the Dwarapalakas) on a matter that they brought to our attention.

It was their opinion that the CBC, in its reporting of events that involved Hindus, presented a one-sided report that projected a very negative view of Hindus to the Canadian Public.

They presented their case to the CBC and became engaged in dialogues over a period of time on the subject matter. They then reached out to the Hindu Federation to support their request for CBC to accept its shortcomings and to take steps to ensure that this does not occur in the future.

Our Issue Response Team took the time to review the case presented by Dwarapalakas and agreed to support their protest. As such, a letter was sent to CBC from the Hindu Federation (see attached) via an email from Dwarakpalakas. The recipient of that lettermat CBC - Mr. Paul Hambleton, Director of Journalistic Standards, CBC News responded promptly. The following are direct quotes from his response on the matter.

 "please pass on my thanks to the President of the Hindu Federation for his letter, and that it has been read and acknowledged by senior management at CBC News.

 If I may though, never once were you or your organization treated disrespectfully or ignored when you raised questions about our journalism. We organized a meeting, responded to your complaints, and respected as well as listened, when you did not agree with our responses.

 Your views are part of the rich tapestry of perspectives in this country, and while you may feel that your particular one has not been heard by CBC News, it has been.

 I encourage you to make use of the Ombudsman's office for any future concerns you have about the journalism produced by CBC News. Not only will you be afforded a comprehensive response if one is deemed warranted, but you can also appeal to that office for an independent review should you remain

dissatisfied”.

Based on this response we are considering this matter to be closed, We believe no further action is necessary at this time.

October 26, 2021

Ambassador M Shahidul Islam

Embassy of Bangladesh

3510 International Drive NW

Washington, D.C. 20008

Re: Mass Violence Against Hindus in Bangladesh

Dear Honorable Ambassador Islam,

We, the undersigned, write to you as an international coalition of faith, advocacy, and community

service based organizations and leaders to convey our grave concern with the recent mass violence

against Hindus in Bangladesh.

We request your government to provide protection to Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh.

According to news reports and human rights activists on the ground in Bangladesh, mass organized

violence towards Hindus across the country developed out of a single alleged social media post. The

police were slow to respond to the violence as it overtook the country. The arrests of individuals who

incited the violence is only the first step in addressing this violence, and much more needs to be done

to ensure the safety and security of minorities in Bangladesh.

Bangladesh must invest in international human rights norms regarding protection of religious

communities within its borders. The targeted killings, assault, rape, arson of homes, desecration of

sacred images and temples, and other forms of physical attack are human rights violations as outlined

in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Furthermore, Bangladesh has ratified several United Nations treaties which condemn the targeted

violence of a religious minority, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights which

states, “Each State Party to the present Covenant undertakes to respect and to ensure to all individuals

within its territory and subject to its jurisdiction the rights recognized in the present Covenant, without

distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national

or social origin, property, birth or other status.” Bangladesh’s obligations under this treaty require action

to respect and ensure the rights of Hindus.

The mass violence targeting Hindus follows a long litany of violence targeting Hindus in Bangladesh,

including the genocide of Hindus during the Bangladesh Liberation War, in which approximately 3

million people were killed, 200-400,000 were raped, and at least 10 million were displaced. Hindus

were particular targets of this violence. Regrettably, these types of occurrences are again becoming

increasingly common in Bangladesh and are further marginalizing the already vulnerable Hindu

community.

Consequently, we implore you to press the government to:

1. Increase the police presence in minority areas to prevent violent mobs from targeting Hindu

homes, businesses, and temples.

2. Ensure that cases of anti-minority violence are properly registered and investigated by law

enforcement, and prosecuted in the courts. In addition, establish witness protection laws to

allow witnesses to safely testify in cases of anti-minority violence.

3. Strengthen the National Human Rights Commission to support constitutional guarantees of

religious freedom and equal protection and to ensure human rights violations are

adequately addressed.

4. Create a separate Minority Rights Commission consistent with the demands of minority

rights groups and the promises of the Awami League.

We look forward to your response to this letter and action on the issues outlined above.

Sincerely,

Hindu American Foundation

CC:

Sheikh Hasina

Prime Minister of Bangladesh

Prime Minister's Office

Old Sangsad Bhaban

Tejgaon

Dhaka-1215,

Bangladesh

HINDU AMERICAN FOUNDATION (Washington, D.C.)

INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR KRISHNA CONSCIOUSNESS (ISKCON) (Potomac, Maryland)

BANGLADESH HINDU BUDDHIST CHRISTIAN UNITY COUNCIL (Dhaka, Bangladesh)

BANGLADESH YOUTH UNITY COUNCIL (Bangladesh)

MUSLIM WOMEN SPEAKERS (Los Angeles, CA)

HUMAN RIGHTS CONGRESS FOR BANGLADESH MINORITIES (Silver Spring, Maryland)

BANGLADESH HINDU CHRISTIAN BUDDHIST UNITY COUNCIL (United Kingdom)

WORLD HINDU FEDERATION - BANGLADESH CHAPTER (Dhaka, Bangladesh)

SISTERHOOD OF SALAAM SHALOM HOUSTON (Houston, TX)

THE PROBINI FOUNDATION (Bellerose, NY)

THE INDIAN SUBCONTINENT PARTITION PROJECT (ISPAD PROJECT) (Jamaica, NY)

INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF BANGLADESHI HINDUS (NY)

BANGLADESHI HINDU COMMUNITY OF USA (New York)

PROGRESSIVE MUSLIMS’ INSTITUTE (Toronto, Canada)

SOUTH ASIAN AMERICAN VOICES FOR IMPACT (Canton, MI)

INTERNATIONAL COMMISSION FOR HUMAN RIGHTS AND RELIGIOUS FREEDOM (Washington,

DC)

NATIONAL ASIAN AMERICAN PAC (NAA PAC) (Georgetown, TX)

NATIONAL FEDERATION OF FILIPINO AMERICAN ASSOCIATIONS (NaFFAA) (Washington, D.C.)

FEDERATION OF JAIN ASSOCIATIONS IN NORTH AMERICA (Los Angeles, CA)

JAIN CENTER OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA (Milpitas, CA)

GLOBAL PEACE INITIATIVE OF WOMEN (Chappaqua, NY)

HELLENIC AMERICAN LEADERSHIP COUNCIL (Chicago, IL)

ARMENIAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE OF AMERICA (Washington, D.C.)

ARMENIAN COUNCIL OF AMERICA (Glendale, CA)

INTERFAITH DIALOGUE ASSOCIATION (Grand Rapids, MI)

HEIWA PEACE AND RECONCILIATION FOUNDATION OF NEW YORK (Bellerose, NY)

THE PUNJAB FOUNDATION (Milpitas, CA)

THE KHALSA TODAY (Milpitas, CA)

FESTIVAL OF GLOBE (FOGSV) (Fremont, CA)

AMERICAN NEPALI STUDENTS & WOMEN EDUCATIONAL RELIEF (Grand Rapids, MI)

CONGREGATION BETH ISRAEL JUDEA/CONGREGATION B’NAI EMUNAH (San Francisco, CA)

ART OF LIVING FOUNDATION (Fremont, CA)

THE PATRICK MCCOLLUM FOUNDATION (Moraga, CA)

PARITY (New York, NY)

REVEALING LIGHT MINISTRIES (Rockville, Maryland)

SEWA INTERNATIONAL USA (USA)

FORCEFIELD, NFP (Mount Prospect, IL)

QUEER HINDU ALLIANCE (Mumbai, India)

HINDU SWAYAMSEVAK SANGH USA (New Jersey)

VISHWA HINDU PARISHAD OF AMERICA (Sugar Grove, IL)

WORLD HINDU FEDERATION (New Delhi, India)

HINDU COUNCIL UK (London, United Kingdom)

NATIONAL HINDU STUDENTS’ FORUM (United Kingdom)

HINDU COUNCIL OF AUSTRALIA (Sydney, NSW, Australia)

HINDU HUMAN RIGHTS NZ (New Zealand)

SANATAN DHARMA MAHA SABHAH OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO (St. Augustine, Trinidad and

Tobago)

HINDU SPEAKERS BUREAU (Burlingame, CA)

SRI SIVA VISHNU TEMPLE (Lanham, MD)

HARIOM (Florida)

INDIA AWARENESS FOUNDATION (Alpharetta, GA)

HINDU HERITAGE FOUNDATION OF AMERICA (Houston, TX)

THE LEAD AMERICA FOUNDATION (Lansdowne, VA)

SAHAYOG FOUNDATION (Honolulu, HI)

INDO AMERICAN KASHMIR FORUM (Boston, MA)

NARAYANASHRAMA TAPOVANAM (Thrissur, Kerala, India)

CENTRE FOR INNER RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT - N.A. (McLean, Virginia)

SHRI SURYA NARAYAN MANDIR INC (Jamaica NY)

HINDU AMERICAN POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (Houston, TX)

PAREKH VORA CHARITABLE FOUNDATION (West Bloomfield, MI)

HINDU AMERICANS OF SAN DIEGO (San Diego, CA)

OVERSEAS VOLUNTEER FOR A BETTER INDIA (Dallas, TX)

INDIAN AMERICAN PUBLIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE (Fremont, CA)

INDO-AMERICAN COMMUNITY FEDERATION (Fremont, CA)

HINDU JEWISH COALITION (Princeton, NJ)

AMERICANS4HINDUS PAC (San Rafael, CA)

FREMONT HINDU TEMPLE/VEDIC DHARMA SAMAJ (Fremont, CA)

INDIAN AMERICANS OF IRVINE AND ORANGE COUNTY (Irvine, CA)

RADHA KRISHNA MANDIR AND CULTURAL CENTRE (Ontario Canada)

INDO-AMERICAN COMMUNITY FEDERATION (IACF) (Fremont CA)

INDIA HERITAGE FOUNDATION (Milpitas, CA)

DURGA TEMPLE OF VIRGINIA (Fairfax Station, VA)

YOGA BHARATI (San Jose, CA)

UNITED HINDU COALITION OF CENTRAL CALIFORNIA (Fresno, CA)

PARIJAT CONTROLWARE INC (Houston, TX)

INDIA DEVELOPMENT COALITION (Willowbrook, IL)

BAY AREA GAYATRI PARIWAR (San Jose, California)

WEST MICHIGAN HINDU TEMPLE (Ada, MI)

GRAND RAPIDS MEDITATION CIRCLE OF SRF (Grand Rapids, MI)

ARYA SAMAJ GREATER HOUSTON (Houston, TX)

VICHAAR MANTHAN (London, United Kingdom)

HINDU AMERICAN POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE OF NEW YORK (New York, NY)

KASHMIR HINDU FOUNDATION (Fremont, CA)

EDUCATOR’S SOCIETY OF INDIA (Manalapan, India)

ALL WORLD GAYATRI PARIWAR NORTHERN CALIFORNIA) (Livermore, CA)

INDIASPORA (San Francisco, CA)

UNITED STATES-INDIA RELATIONSHIP COUNCIL (Buena Park, CA)

PARMARTH NIKETAN (Uttarakhand, India)

PROTON EXPERT GROUP (San Jose, CA)

INTERFAITHSHAADI (San Francisco, CA)

RISHI SAMSKRUTI VIDYA KENDRA (RSVK) (Ottawa, Canada)

HINDU AND JAIN TEMPLE OF LAS VEGAS (Las Vegas, NV)

HINDU COALITION (USA)

BAY AREA YOUTH VAISHNAV PARIVAR (BAYVP) (San Jose, CA)

HINDU FEDERATION (Mississauga, ON, Canada)

SARAH L GATES (Australia)

RABBI ALLAN BERKOWITZ (San Jose, CA)

DR. BAHAR JALALI (Glenwood, MD)

Dr. Khalil Rahman

High Commissioner for Bangladesh

350 Sparks St. #1100,

Ottawa, ON

K1R 7S8

October 26, 2021

hc@bdhcottawa.ca

Dear High Commissioner of Bangladesh, Dr. Khalil Rahman,

Re: Torrent of Violence Against Hindus in Bangladesh

I write to you on behalf of the Hindu Federation, a coalition of faith, advocacy, and community service-based organization, to convey our grave concern with the recent torrent of violence against Hindus in Bangladesh. Recent atrocities against the Hindu community in Bangladesh have caused great pain and misery to so many. These acts of religious persecution have no place in a civilised society.

We request your government to provide protection to Hindus and other minorities in your country.

According to news reports and human rights activists on the ground in Bangladesh, mass organized violence towards Hindus across the country developed out of a single alleged social media post. The police were slow to respond to the violence as it overtook the country.

Bangladesh must invest in international human rights norms regarding protection of religious communities within its borders. The targeted killings, assault, rape, destruction of homes and businesses, desecration of sacred images and temples, and other forms of physical attack are human rights violations as outlined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Furthermore, Bangladesh has ratified several United Nations treaties which condemn the targeted violence of a religious minority, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights which states, “Each State Party to the present Covenant undertakes to respect and to ensure all individuals within its territory and subject to its jurisdiction the rights recognized in the present Covenant, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.” Bangladesh’s obligations under this treaty require action to respect and ensure the rights of Hindus.

Consequently, we implore you to press the government to:

• Increase the police presence in minority areas to prevent violent mobs from targeting Hind

homes, businesses, and temples.

• Ensure that cases of anti-minority violence are properly registered and investigated by law

enforcement, and prosecuted in the courts. In addition, establish witness protection laws to

allow witnesses to safely testify in cases of anti-minority violence.

• Strengthen the National Human Rights Commission to support constitutional guarantees of

religious freedom and equal protection and to ensure human rights violations are adequately

addressed.

We look forward to your response to this letter and action on the issues outlined above.

Yours sincerely,

Pandit Roopnauth Sharma

President

The Rt. Honorable Justin Trudeau

Prime Minister of Canada

Office of the Prime Minister

80 Wellington Street

Ottawa, ON K1A 0A2

justin.trudeau@parl.gc.ca

October 25, 2021

Dear Honorable Prime Minster Justin Trudeau,

RE: Violent Attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh



As a Canadian who appreciates Harmony and Compassion among all Religions and as President of the

Hindu Federation, I'm writing to you to respectfully request that you look into the atrocities against the

Hindu community, their homes, businesses and places of worship currently underway in Bangladesh

and make a statement condemning this religious persecution.

Since November, 2020, there have been four waves of Islamist militant violence targeting Bangladesh's

Hindu religious minority population, which makes up approximately 10% of the country's population

(about 14 million people). The most recent violence began last Friday, October 15th, as Hindus were

engaged in worshipping the divine mother Durga.

The Hindu Federation urges you to stand with Canadians, especially Canadian Hindus and human rights

advocates across the globe by making a statement strongly condemning the violence against Hindus in

Bangladesh. Please call on the government of Bangladesh to protect all religious minorities, particularly

Hindus, and ensure that the Canada - Bangladesh relationship is centered on respecting human rights

and religious freedom for all people.

I look forward to hearing from you regarding the action your office is willing to take in this regard.

Yours sincerely,

Pandit Roopnauth Sharma (President)

September 21, 2021

Joint Statement by Dwarapalakas and Hindu Federation:

We condemn the recent attack on a Hindu family who were engaged in a private peaceful Hindu religious ritual in the Region of Peel. The act of pelting stones, physically and verbally attacking them and forcing the family to flee is not something that we should expect to see in a democratic and first world nation like Canada.

It is well known that Hindus of Canada have demonstrated their commitment to peace by adhering to a non-violent way of living and we believe that the good nature of Hindus must be respected and encouraged. We commend Peel Police Chief, Nishan Duraiappah, who is quoted to have said that such

attacks will not be tolerated in Peel, which is home to a rich culture and diversity. We reproduce his statement, “That’s “...one of our many strengths, being able to practice and celebrate one’s faith in peace and safety is a fundamental right here in Canada for all Canadians. Hateful, deliberate acts such as this will not be tolerated, and I can assure you that the appropriate resources are being allocated to identify those responsible.”

We also appreciate the quick response of the Peel Police in arresting the two persons responsible for the attack. We understand that they are juveniles, and hence their identities have not been

revealed. What is worrying is that the hate has been implanted in youth who are motivated to attack Hindus. There is a need for public education to prevent this hate against Hindus. Academic institutions of Canada should understand that hate speech under the guise of academic freedom will negatively impact the safety of Hindu students.

We urge Hindus to follow environmental guidelines in practicing their faith and religious beliefs. Dwarapalakas can be reached at dialogue@thedialogue.ca and Hindu Federation at

www.HinduFederation.ca, for further information. We encourage Hindus to reach out to us on any concerns. We work with police, law makers and government to ensure the safety of Hindus.

Toronto Star Cremation Article

Tragedy in London, Ontario

Press release. June 8 2021

Hindu Federation Condemns heinous crime against Muslims in London Ontario

The Hindu Federation body with a membership of twenty Temple representing the Hindu Community in Canada. We join all Canadians in mourning the loss of four Muslim family members targeted in a heinous crime.

We are saddened by the targeted act of hate. Racism and hatred have no place in any community. We offer our sincere condolences to the family and the Muslim community and we stand in solidarity with them.

Our prayers are with the families and friends of the victims as they cope with

the loss and pain of this tragedy.

Pandit Roopnauth Sharma

President.

Indigenous Children

Press release June 4 2021

215 Bodies of children discovered in Kamloops B. C.

On behalf of the Hindu Federation we join with Tk’emlups te Secwepemc First Nation to mourn the deaths of the 215 indigenous children discovered in a gravesite at the Kamloops Indian Residential School. We stand in solidarity with Tk’emlups te Secwepemc First Nation as we remember the 215 children lost.

Our thoughts and prayers are with all those in mourning. We recognize this tragedy and

heartbreaking pain that has been inflicted on our indigenous community. No words can describe

the grief felt.

We offer a prayer as we remember those who never came back home.

Pandit Roopnauth Sharma

President.

Sri Lankan Terrorist Attack

April 24, 2019

On behalf of the Hindu Federation, I would like to express my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families of the victims of the horrific terrorist attack on peaceful worshippers in Sri Lanka.

We pray for the injured and we grieve with the families and loved ones for those lives lost in this most inhuman act by the terrorist group. These incidents of terror events seem to indicate the dwindling respect for the sanctity of the sacred space in the minds of these individuals.

We stand together with all faith communities in expressing our sympathies to our Christian

community during this difficult period.

Pandit Roopnauth Sharma

President

Attack on Quebec Mosque

April 2, 2017

We of the Hindu Federation are shocked and are at a loss to comprehend the senseless killings

and grave injuries to so many of our Muslim brothers in Quebec. We take this opportunity to

express our sincere condolences to all and Pray that God will grant them courage, unshakable

faith and hope as they cope with the loss and pain that are being experienced in Quebec. We

share your pain and grief and have hope that divine wisdom will dawn in the minds of those who

will contrive to perpetrate such atrocities against humanity in such a manner that they will see

the futility of such actions and seek God's forgiveness for their inhuman and ungodly intentions. 

Our Love and Prayers are with you.

-- 

Sincerely

Pandit Roopnauth Sharma

On Behalf of the Hindu FederationNew Paragraph

Pittsburg Incident

October 29,2018

The Hindu Federation is an amalgamation of temples of varied Hindu denominations and

other Hindu organizations in Canada. Our objective is to be the central voice and action entity on all matters relating to Hindus in Canada.

Our Hindu community mourns with the Jewish community and shares your grief for the

loss of eleven lives. Our prayers are with those who have that have suffered injuries and

we sincerely pray for their recovery.

We would like to express our sincere condolences for your loss. We extend our prayers to all the victims of this horrific tragedy. We further condemn any harmful act against any community based on their faith, belief, race and practices.

Yours truly,

Pandit Roopnauth Sharma

President