Chandra Arya, former member of parliament for Nepean, Ottawa, has launched the Hindu Public Affairs Council of Canada (HPAC).Arya, originally from India, served in Canadian parliament for over nine years. He was removed as the Liberal candidate for Nepean shortly before the 2023 elections and replaced by Mark Carney.
The Liberal Party's decision followed claims about his involvement with foreign influence related to India.
Arya has remained outspoken about issues affecting Hindu Canadians, particularly concerns over the Khalistan movement. Arya criticises the movement's supporters, saying that such elements are undermining the Hindu community in Canada. The new lobby group claims to be "unapologetically Hindu" and "resolutely Canadian." In his announcement on social media, Arya highlighted that while the Hindu community in Canada is diverse, "India is our holy land."
The newly formed HPAC will work to counter growing anti-Hindu rhetoric and what Arya perceives as the unchecked rise of Khalistani extremism.“In an era when anti-Hindu and Khalistani forces are emboldened and our community is under siege, Canada HPAC rises with resolve,” Mr. Arya said in a post on X. “We will not stay silent. We will not back down.” Arya also remarked that other faiths in Canada, such as Jewish and Muslim communities, have lobby groups that advocate for their interests, but Hindu Canadians lack a similar political presence. Despite the criticism, Arya has stressed that the HPAC will be funded through small donations from Hindu Canadians, rejecting the notion that his efforts are tied to Indian government interests.
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