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HFC Takes Legal Action Against Gurpatwant Singh Pannun

Hindu Forum Canada (HFC) has taken decisive legal action against Gurpatwant Singh Pannu, the leader and legal representative of Sikhs for Justice, to combat his relentless campaign of hate-filled misinformation targeting Hindus in Canada and the United States. His rhetoric goes beyond mere propaganda—some of his actions escalate into outright terrorist threats, endangering the safety and security of the Hindu community in North America

September 20, 2023

HFC’s Correspondence to Public Safety Minister Hon. Dominic LeBlanc

On September 20, Hindu Forum Canada (HFC) issued a formal public statement and sent an official communication to Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc, raising urgent concerns about the alarming threats and extremist propaganda disseminated by Gurpatwant Singh Pannu.

Mr. Pannu has made his intentions unmistakably clear—both he and his Khalistani associates openly advocate for targeting individuals who do not align with their separatist ideology. These threats are no longer just rhetoric; they have begun manifesting within Canada. The Canadian government must not underestimate the gravity of this situation.

Despite the clear and present danger, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh have previously dismissed similar incidents as mere expressions of free speech. We call on them to acknowledge the seriousness of Mr. Pannu’s threats, which directly endanger Indo-Canadian citizens, particularly Hindus.

HFCs take on LeBlanc’s response: We acknowledge and appreciate the recognition from Ministers Harjit Sajjan and Dominic LeBlanc regarding the hateful and threatening remarks made by Sikhs for Justice President Gurpatwant Singh Pannu against Canadian Hindus. As Minister LeBlanc rightly stated, “Hate has no place in Canada.” However, words alone are not enough.

The Canadian government must go beyond condemnation—Pannu must be formally charged with hate crimes, and his entry into Canada must be permanently banned. Anything less would be a failure to protect the Hindu community from escalating threats of extremism.

HFC appreciates acknowledgement from politicians but demands action

We thank all ministers, including Pierre Poilievre, who have acknowledged the threat to Hindus and public safety. However, we call for strong, decisive action rather than mere words. The situation demands more than recognition—it requires tangible steps to protect Canadian citizens and uphold our values. HFC demanded that policymakers stand by Canada’s values of inclusivity and tolerance, ensuring that hate speech and its harmful consequences have no place in our country.

HFC also publicly called out politicians who refused to fully acknowledge the danger that Mr. Pannu poses. We raised these concerns directly with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh. However, the response has been disappointing—Singh issued a vague tweet of support for Hindus without naming the perpetrator, while Trudeau remained silent.

Legal Notice from HFC’s Legal Counsel to Immigration Minister Marc Miller and IRCC

The Legal Counsel representing Hindu Forum Canada, sent a formal legal notice to Immigration Minister Marc Miller and IRCC, urging them to take immediate action regarding the entry of hate-driven individuals into Canada—those who openly issue online threats, including death threats, against Canadian citizens.

Pannu had circulated a video calling for Hindus to leave Canada, irrationally accusing them of betraying the country. This hate speech has caused distress within the Hindu community and the broader Canadian public.

The notice referenced several Canadian political leaders, including Minister of Public Safety Domenic LeBlanc and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, who condemned Pannu’s comments. It emphasized the harmful impact of such rhetoric, especially on Canadian children, and urged the Government of Canada to investigate whether Pannu’s actions make him inadmissible under immigration law due to security concerns.

The notice referenced Canadian law, specifically sections 319 and 34 of the Criminal Code and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, which make public incitement of hatred and promoting hatred crimes punishable by imprisonment. It called for an investigation into Pannu’s potential threat to Canadian security, referencing India’s designation of Pannu as a terrorist and his ties to violent extremism. The legal notice requested Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) take the necessary steps to determine Pannu’s inadmissibility and prevent him from entering Canada.

HFC Raises Concerns Over Disinformation Regarding Rally Participation with Public Safety Minister

 

Mr. Pannu distorted a video from Hindu Forum Canada to falsely represent our unwavering support for Jews in their fight against anti-Semitism. The video was regarding our participation in a rally held on Monday, October 9, 2023, at 7 p.m. at Mel Lastman Square in Toronto, which was organized to denounce the barbaric acts of terrorism committed by Hamas against Jews.

Hindu Forum Canada consistently showed solidarity with Israel in condemning Hamas terrorists for their heinous attacks on innocent Israeli citizens, a stance also echoed by Canadian politicians at all levels of government and international leaders worldwide. The terrorist attacks were condemned globally without exception.

It was deeply troubling that Mr. Pannu, in a misguided attempt to vilify Canadian Hindus, falsely labeled them as “fascists” who supported the death of Gazans—an outrageous, false and completely baseless accusation. This was compounded by his prior hostile remarks, including telling Canadian Hindus to “leave Canada.” These attacks on the Hindu community were wholly unjustified and far from reflective of the values we stand for as Canadians.

HFC officially communicated this incident and its concerns to the Public Safety Minister once again.

HFC’s Legal Representative Sends a Notice to CBSA and RCMP

 

On September 25th, 2023, we sent a letter to the Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship of Canada, requesting the government to conduct an investigation to determine whether Mr. Pannu was inadmissible to Canada.

On October 19th, 2023, we received a response from the Minister, advising that any concerns regarding Mr. Pannu’s admissibility should be brought to the attention of the CBSA. We interpreted this as the Minister suggesting that we forward our concerns to the appropriate investigatory agencies. In response, we submitted a legal complaint to CBSA and RCMP.

The complaint detailed concerns regarding Mr. Gurpatwant Singh Pannu’s involvement in promoting violence, inciting hate, and making threats of terrorism. It referenced his previous role in the 1985 Air India bombing conspiracy, which killed 329 Canadian citizens, as well as his recent statements threatening harm to Air India passengers. These comments suggested a potential terrorist attack, highlighting a direct threat to public safety.

The complaint called for a thorough investigation into Mr. Pannu’s activities, citing relevant sections of Canada’s Criminal Code, such as public incitement of hatred, wilful promotion of hatred, and hoax terrorism. It specifically pointed to Mr. Pannu’s threats, which endangered public safety and interfered with lawful property use, particularly in relation to the safety of air travel.

Additionally, the complaint urged law enforcement agencies, including the RCMP, CBSA, and CSIS, to investigate potential offenses, including charges under Canada’s terrorism and hate speech laws. The complaint emphasized that Mr. Pannu’s actions were not just a threat to Hindus but to all Canadians, given the past terrorist attack on Canadian soil, which had claimed the lives of 329 citizens. The complaint also noted that Mr. Pannu had previously been labeled a terrorist by the Government of India.

In light of these concerns, the complaint concluded with a call for Mr. Pannu’s prompt arrest and prosecution due to his involvement in inciting violence and hate speech, underscoring the importance of ensuring the safety and security of all Canadians.

On November 16, 2023, Hindu Forum Canada issued a public statement holding Jagmeet Singh accountable for his vague and inconsistent stance on national security threats. He has failed to explicitly denounce the threats posed by Khalistani leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannu.

Pannu’s anti-Hindu campaign – BAPS Vandalism call out – counter attack against MP Chandra Arya

On the day of a Khalistani rally in Edmonton, a BAPS temple—like many other Hindu temples across Canada—was vandalized with hateful graffiti. This act of targeted desecration was not an isolated incident but part of a disturbing pattern of attacks on Hindu sacred spaces by Khalistani extremists. Among those named in the hateful message was MP Chandra Arya, who has always openly embraced his Hindu identity. MP Arya strongly condemned this brazen act of intimidation by Khalistani extremists. This escalating wave of anti-Hindu hate must not be ignored. Read our full report on the relentless targeting of Hindu temples by Khalistani extremists.

Following his condemnation of the BAPS temple vandalism in Edmonton, Nepean MP Chandra Arya was personally targeted in yet another hate-filled video by Gurpatwant Singh Pannun of Sikhs for Justice. Pannun’s message not only incited violence against Arya but also issued an open threat to all Hindus, telling them to “go back to India” if they value their safety and life. An open threat to life to all Canadian Hindus from different backgrounds.

In response, Arya reaffirmed that Hindus in Canada have deep roots and have made immense contributions to the nation’s socio-economic and multicultural fabric. He denounced the extremist rhetoric polluting Canadian society and called out Khalistani elements for abusing the freedoms enshrined in the Canadian Charter of Rights.

Hindu Forum Canada always stands firmly with MP Arya and issued an official statement condemning this vile Hinduphobic propaganda. The statement was followed by many coming forward to make public statements in support of MP Arya.

Learn More:

Launching Awareness Campaign Condemning Vandalism at Temples

Hindu Forum Canada (HFC) strongly condemns the recent act of vandalism at a Hindu temple in South Edmonton.
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