Hindutva Right-Wing Nationalism Threatening Canadian Muslim Security |
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June 24th, 2022
Canadian human rights activists are raising the alarm over extreme Islamophobia and hate speech in Canada, much of which originated abroad. For years, anti-Muslim discrimination and hatred have grown at unprecedented levels in India without consequence.
Bigotry and violent racism against religious minorities occur daily with direct and indirect support from India’s right-wing, nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government. Several members and supporters of the BJP abroad have carried this bigotry into Canada – violating long-standing hate speech laws in the Criminal Code.
A recent viral video shows Ranendra "Ron" Banerjee, a common fixture at anti-Muslim rallies, inciting hatred, violence and encouraging “killings” of Indian Muslims and Sikhs. Banerjee is a promoter of right-wing Hindutva nationalism, a political ideology that seeks to transform India into an ethnonationalist Hindu state above other groups.
The shocking anti-minority sentiments openly displayed by Banerjee in Canada only promote dangerous extremism against Canadian Muslims. For instance, perpetrators of the 2017 Quebec City massacre, and the 2021 London Muslim family attack, were both influenced by hate speech and ring-wing rhetoric.
“We call on Canadians to recognize Banerjee, and individuals like him, as dangerous racists and bigots. Before it’s too late, they must be charged under the strongest hate speech laws in our judicial system,” said Taha Ghayyur, Executive Director.
In Canada, prominent Hindutva advocates have often used hateful, abusive and discriminatory language to prevent Canadian Muslims from practicing their faith in schools and places of worship. Right-wing Hindu nationalists have also targeted Canadian academics studying Hinduism, Indian politics, and South Asian history in harassment and intimidation campaigns.
Canadian human rights activists are raising the alarm over extreme Islamophobia and hate speech in Canada, much of which originated abroad. For years, anti-Muslim discrimination and hatred have grown at unprecedented levels in India without consequence.
Bigotry and violent racism against religious minorities occur daily with direct and indirect support from India’s right-wing, nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government. Several members and supporters of the BJP abroad have carried this bigotry into Canada – violating long-standing hate speech laws in the Criminal Code.
A recent viral video shows Ranendra "Ron" Banerjee, a common fixture at anti-Muslim rallies, inciting hatred, violence and encouraging “killings” of Indian Muslims and Sikhs. Banerjee is a promoter of right-wing Hindutva nationalism, a political ideology that seeks to transform India into an ethnonationalist Hindu state above other groups.
The shocking anti-minority sentiments openly displayed by Banerjee in Canada only promote dangerous extremism against Canadian Muslims. For instance, perpetrators of the 2017 Quebec City massacre, and the 2021 London Muslim family attack, were both influenced by hate speech and ring-wing rhetoric.
“We call on Canadians to recognize Banerjee, and individuals like him, as dangerous racists and bigots. Before it’s too late, they must be charged under the strongest hate speech laws in our judicial system,” said Taha Ghayyur, Executive Director.
In Canada, prominent Hindutva advocates have often used hateful, abusive and discriminatory language to prevent Canadian Muslims from practicing their faith in schools and places of worship. Right-wing Hindu nationalists have also targeted Canadian academics studying Hinduism, Indian politics, and South Asian history in harassment and intimidation campaigns.
- Groups used to promote inflammatory hate speech, violence, discrimination and racism against Canadian Muslims must be flagged or shut down. This includes “Canadian Hindu Advocacy” and “Rise Canada” – both of which are groups Banerjee is involved with.
- The Federal government must adopt Justice For All Canada’s Policy Recommendations, recently submitted to the 2021 National Summit on Islamophobia https://www.justiceforallcanada.org/uploads/4/6/8/9/46897513/national_summit_on_islamophobia-policy_recommendations_justice_for_all_canada.pdf