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Historic Sikh and Hindu Sites Defaced in Coordinated Vandalism in British Columbia

Pro-Khalistan and anti-India graffiti target Vancouver's Ross Street Gurdwara and Surrey's Lakshmi Narayan Mandir, prompting a police investigation and community condemnation.

The Khalsa Diwan Society gurdwara in Vancouver, better known as the Ross Street gurdwara, was spraypainted with pro-Khalistan and anti-India graffiti.
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Overview

  • The Ross Street Gurdwara in Vancouver, a historic Sikh temple established in 1906, was vandalized with pro-Khalistan and anti-India graffiti early Saturday morning.
  • The Lakshmi Narayan Mandir in Surrey was similarly defaced, with leaders suggesting the incidents were linked as part of a coordinated effort to intimidate both Sikh and Hindu communities.
  • The Khalsa Diwan Society (KDS), which manages the Ross Street Gurdwara, stated that the vandalism was carried out by a small group of Sikh separatists aiming to sow fear and division.
  • Vancouver Police Department has launched an investigation into the incidents, but no arrests have been made so far, continuing a troubling trend of unresolved religious site desecrations across Canada since 2023.
  • Community leaders have called for unity across faiths and stronger security measures to protect religious sites, emphasizing the shared values of peace and respect.