The government, led by Prime Minister Mark Carney, has been asked by more than 100 Canadian Hindu and civil liberties outfits to allow Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat to visit Canada and reject propaganda that wants him labelled inadmissible. They have written to Carney and other federal ministers requesting the government to make sure that any decision on his admission is founded on due process and evidence as opposed to political influence.
The submission is addressed to Carney, Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree, Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab, along with Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand. Pro- Khalistani New Democratic Party (NDP) MP’s, Jenny Kwan and Heather McPherson, as well as other Islamist and separatist outfits, want Bhagwat barred from entering Canada and declared inadmissible alongside a ban on RSS.
According to the signatories, Bhagwat’s tour would be of “considerable interest” to Canada’s large Hindu population. The letter read, “We, the undersigned representatives of more than 101+ Canadian organisations and civil liberties groups, write to express our support for the proposed visit of Dr Mohan Bhagwat, Sarsanghchalak (chief) of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), to Canada. The proposed visit is of considerable interest to Canada’s Hindu community, including more than one million Canadians of Hindu heritage.”
The letter referred to RSS as a significant Indian organisation that is prominently known for its public discourse, cultural events, social projects and community service. It stated, “We are therefore concerned by recent calls from NDP MPs Jenny Kwan and Heather McPherson, along with several organisations, urging the Government of Canada to prevent Bhagwat from entering Canada and to characterise him as inadmissible.”
The groups vehemently opposed the attempt aimed at preventing Bhagwat from entering, maintaining that accusations made against him needed to be backed up by reliable proof. He was charged by the two MPs of allegedly having a history of hate speech, supporting violence against religious minorities, participating in targeted intimidation and association with terrorist or criminal organisations. The letter emphasised, “Serious allegations require credible evidence.”
It further stressed, “These are exceptionally serious allegations. They should not be treated as political rhetoric or established as fact without clear, credible and independently verifiable evidence.” The letter called for Canadian authorities to find the proof supporting the accusations and added that any reliable evidence should be evaluated using the proper legal and governmental procedures.
The signatories also dismissed allegations that Bhagwat’s presence could compromise public safety or cause social unrest. They enquired as to what particular instances showed him or the RSS had contributed to such incidents in Canada and what hard data suggested that his arrival would endanger public safety.
“Canada’s immigration and public safety decisions must be based on established law, credible evidence and due process, not speculation and political rhetoric,” the letter appealed.
“Political disagreement and peaceful protest are legitimate. Criticism of religious, cultural or political leaders is also legitimate. But preventing a visiting leader from entering Canada based on allegations that have not been demonstrated with credible evidence would raise serious concerns about pluralism and fairness,” it firmly conveyed.
The groups contended that the Hindu population in the country could potentially face wider implications if Bhagwat was excluded without supporting proof, giving the impression that Canadian Hindus and their organisations were being treated differently.
They pointed out, “Canada’s multiculturalism is founded on the principle that people of different faiths and cultural traditions can participate fully in public life. Hindus, like Canadians of every other religious or non-religious background, are entitled to dignity, security, freedom of expression, freedom of religion, peaceful association and equality before the law.”
Additionally, the letter expressed concern that some Canadian Hindus would view the campaign against Bhagwat as exhibiting “anti-Hindu prejudice or Hinduphobia.” It underlined that not all Canadians or Canadian Hindus should be represented by the opinions of certain organisations or political figures.
The groups mentioned, “Bhagwat’s emphasis has always been social harmony, cultural identity, community service and engagement across communities. We therefore urge political leaders and community organisations to exercise responsibility in their public statements and avoid rhetoric that could deepen divisions among Canada’s diverse communities.”
The letter concluded, “Canada needs more dialogue, not division; more evidence, not allegations; more due process, not political pressure; and more respect for its multicultural mosaic, not efforts that could silence one community’s legitimate right to welcome its own cultural and spiritual leaders. We respectfully request that the Government of Canada uphold the principles of equality, pluralism, freedom of expression, freedom of religion, peaceful association and due process in considering Dr Mohan Bhagwat’s proposed visit.”
Canada India Foundation, Canadian Arya Samaj, Brampton Hindu Society, Hindu Society of Canada, Hindu Mission of Canada, Hindu Sabha Temple, Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh, Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) Canada and multiple temples as well as cultural associations and community organisations were included in this joint effort of more than 100 groups.
It is important to note that a coordinated campaign has been launched by the global anti-India ecosystem of Islamists, leftists and Khalistanis, involving pressure on the respective governments through online petitions, written submissions and protests against Bhagwat’s three countries, the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom.
