South Asian communities urge Canada to classify RSS-affiliated groups as extremists : Valley Vision
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A coalition of 25 South Asian organisations , supported by allies across Canada, is calling on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to officially designate groups affiliated with the Hindutva paramilitary group Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) as hate groups and far-right extremist entities.
The coalition, led by the South Asian Diaspora Action Collective (SADAC) and CERAS (South Asia Forum), issued an open letter highlighting the alleged connections between RSS affiliates and rising extremist activities, including violence and hate speech, in Canada.
The release follows recent revelations by the RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police) implicating individuals associated with the RSS in criminal activities on Canadian soil. The RCMP disclosed investigations and charges tied to violent acts, including the high-profile assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar. SADAC and CERAS argue that this assassination may be just one example in a broader trend of transnational violence.
Reports by multiple sources, including The Guardian, indicate that concerns over alleged India-backed transnational violence extend beyond Canada to countries such as the U.S., U.K., and Pakistan, where prominent Sikh activists report receiving threats. A report published in early 2023 outlines the presence of RSS-linked organisations in Canada and identifies patterns of Hindu nationalist rhetoric, which the coalition argues is aligned with hate speech and poses risks to Canadian minority communities.
“The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in India, politically affiliated with the RSS, has used Hindu nationalist ideology to create a hostile environment for minority groups in India,” the coalition’s statement reads.
They contend that this ideology has emboldened Hindu nationalist groups worldwide, including in Canada, to intimidate and threaten Sikh, Muslim, Dalit, and other minority communities.
The open letter to Trudeau makes the following appeals: 1) Extend protection to South Asians and other minority communities at risk, 2) Investigate the human rights violations and influence of the RSS and its affiliates in Canada and 3) List the RSS and its affiliates in Canada as hate groups/far right extremist entities as these actions would further serve to protect Canadian minorities.
The letter was sent to Trudeau as well as key federal ministers and party leaders. Affiliates named in the letter include groups such as HSS-Canada, VHP-Canada, and SEWA International. SADAC argues that many of these groups often deflect criticism by labeling it as “hinduphobia,” a term that several experts have contested, arguing it is used to distract from legitimate critiques.
The coalition hopes the government will take decisive action to curb the influence of Hindu nationalist extremism in Canada and reinforce protections for minorities across the nation.
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