Mumbai: 'Our voices must reach Canada,' assert VHP, Bajrang Dal-led protesters

Wake up Canada government was the message at a Wednesday afternoon protest near the gate of the IndiaBulls International Centre on Senapati Bapat Marg near Prabhadevi stationThe protesting group led jointly by Vishwa Hindu Parishad VHP and the Bajrang Dal gathered at the site which also saw significant police presence to condemn the recent attack on a Hindu temple in CanadaBrothers pleaseWhile placards were held up citing slogans and creating awareness asking the Canadian government for action against attackers Shriraj Nair national spokesperson VHP said ldquoLet this be clear the Sikhs and Hindus are one We are brothers We have nothing against the Sikhs This is against fringe elements that are intent on pushing the Khalistan narrative stoking divisions between the two communitiesrdquoldquoThere are thousands of Hindus living and working in Canada in a peaceful way and contributing to society and the economy If they are involved in crime it is extremely negligible or 00 per cent We know that the Consulate General of Canada office is closed here and nobody is present but this is a symbolic protest Our Hindu brothers in Canada told us to do something here so that voices reach Canadardquo Nair said He added that they were not against the Canadian government ldquoyet we want all those involved in these attacks to be arrestedrdquoFalse narrativeMohan Salekar Prant secretary VHP said ldquoIt is good that we heard some condemnation for the first time from Canadian PM Justin Trudeau What were these Hindus doing They were attacked while praying at the temple That is why this protest was importantrdquoAt a Diwali meet rsquonrsquo greet just two hours prior to the protest Salekar stated ldquoThe upcoming elections are not just the Maharashtra state Assembly elections but a compass that will show us which direction the country is heading We want more people to come out and vote especially the elite in their high risesrdquoHe added ldquoDuring the general elections there was organisation and logistics for the Bharat Jodo Yatra from certain foreignfunded NGOs There was a false narrative spread that the Constitution was under threat At that time perhaps some sections were laid back in countering this false narrative but lessons have been learnt and there are robust counters against attempts to spread lies and malicious misleading claimsrdquoNo divisionThe entire VHP top brass reiterated unity between Hindus and Sikhs and pointed out that the 1984 riots which took place after PM Indira Gandhirsquos assassination also saw incendiary speeches by Congress leadersSenior VHP functionary Dinesh T said ldquoThere are no schisms between Hindus and Sikhs They are our brothers and the assassination was also highly politicisedrdquoAll the speakers pointed out that trouble is being fomented and lsquowe want Khalistan divisionsrsquo are being given oxygen by those who believe in lsquotukde tukde Bharatrsquo and lsquotodo BharatrsquoThe protest was well regulated it saw curious onlookers asking about the issue The gathering dispersed to shouts of lsquoJai Shree Ramrsquo rising above the blare of vehicle horns at the buzzing intersection