Chandra Arya, MP of Canada, in a statement condemned the clashes between protesters carrying Khalistan flags and people at the Hindu Sabha temple in Brampton that took place on November 3 and criticized the politicians for misrepresenting the incident as a Hindu-Sikh issue. Arya argued that this framework is “misleading and divisive.”

In a statement shared on . Politicians are deliberately avoiding recognizing and mentioning the Khalistanis as responsible for this attack or are blaming other entities. They are misleading Canadians by presenting this issue as a Hindu-Sikh issue. This is not true.

He said that throughout history, Hindus and Sikhs have been linked by family relations and shared social and cultural ties and urged both communities to prove politicians wrong. Hindus and Sikhs have been united throughout history, are united today and will continue to be united in the future. We, as Hindus and Sikhs, will not and should not allow vested interests to divide us for political purposes,” the message added.

The Canadian MP said politicians are portraying Hindus and Sikhs as opposing camps over the Hindu temple attack. “This image is simply false. Both sides are actually Hindu Canadians and the vast majority Sikh Canadians on one side, and Khalistanis on the other,” he said.

Arya’s post also highlighted the influence Khalistan supporters have over some Canadian gurdwaras, citing Sikh community leader and former British Columbia premier Ujjal Dosanjh.

According to Arya, Dosanjh noted that a “silent majority of Sikhs want nothing to do with Khalistan and they simply do not speak out because they are afraid of violence and violent repercussions.” Dosanjh also mentioned that many Gurudwaras in Canada are controlled by Khalistan supporters.

Arya further said he understood that fear could prevent the silent majority of Sikhs from speaking out in gurdwaras, but he urged them to use the power of voting to determine which politicians will be elected.

“Due to the deliberate actions of some politicians and the influence of Khalistanis, Canadians now incorrectly equate Khalistanis with Sikhs. Hindus and Sikhs alike must make it clear to Canadians that we are united in our fight against Khalistan extremists and their political supporters,” the message added.