Hindu Federation

Update on steps taken by the Hindu Federation
Re: Proposed Bill C 229
Address Concerns of Hindus about reference to Swastika as a symbol of hate

MP Peter Julian, listened attentively to our concerns and was most receptive to our suggestion on this matter. He is aware of the fact that the 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 bill with the word "Nazi Hooked Cross"

We are sharing an email from MP Peter Julian.
 

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