'Hate has no place in Canadian society': Canadian-Hindus condemn stabbing attack at Nanaksar Gurdwara

Their remarks come after a stabbing incident at the Nanaksar Gurdwara on Friday (local time) in Edmonton left two men injured after an armed individual entered the building during morning prayers. The Edmonton Police Service (EPS) has taken a 27-year-old man into custody following an early-morning stabbing at the Nanaksar Sikh Gurdwara.

Speaking to ANI regarding the attack at Nanaksar Gurdwara in Edmonton, Girish Sharma, a business entrepreneur, called it "very unfortunate" news.

He said, "While the injuries are not life-threatening, the incident is deeply shocking, especially given that threats had been received previously... It is a very unfortunate situation that poses a significant risk to the entire Indo-Canadian Hindu-Sikh community here in Edmonton. There is a possibility of further threats or warnings in the future. The attacker has been arrested, and the consequences of this incident will become clear later. However, this is truly distressing and deeply saddening news for the Hindu-Sikh community and the entire community at large."

Virender Singh, a businessman, expressed grief over the attack and reiterated that Canada respects people of all faiths. He urged the government to get to the root of the matter and hold those accountable under Canadian laws for the attack.

Singh told ANI, "As a Canadian Hindu and a Canadian citizen, I was deeply saddened by the hate attack on the Nanaksar Gurdwara. Hate has no place in Canadian society. We are Canadians; we respect everyone and every faith. We demand that the government get to the root of this matter and ensure that the individuals or organisations responsible are held accountable under Canadian law and penalised accordingly. Furthermore, as communities--whether Hindu, Sikh, or any other--we must stand united and strengthen one another to ensure that such incidents do not occur again in the future."

Sandeep Taneja, a lawyer, said, "I condemn any kind of violence and urge that we take control of such situations and take all necessary steps to ensure that such incidents do not happen anywhere in the future."

Shortly after the attack was reported, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney condemned the attack, terming it "appalling" and said in a post on X, "The attack at the Nanaksar Gurdwara in Edmonton this morning is appalling. My thoughts are with the two people who were injured and the wider community that is shaken by this terrible event."

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith wished a quick recovery for the injured and expressed support to the Sikh community in light of the recent acts of violence in the last few days. (ANI)