Khalsa Diwan Society condemns the act as an attempt to instil fear and division within the Sikh community
A well-known gurdwara in Vancouver, Canada, was defaced overnight with pro-Khalistan graffiti, triggering strong condemnation from the Sikh community and local authorities, reported gujaratsamachar.com.
The Khalsa Diwan Society’s Ross Street Gurdwara was targeted on the day of the Surrey Vaisakhi parade — one of the largest in the world.
The incident came to light early Saturday morning when members of the Khalsa Diwan Society (KDS) discovered slogans like “Khalistan Zindabad” spray-painted on the walls of the gurdwara’s parking lot. Images of the graffiti were shared by the gurdwara on its official X account.
The timing of the act — coinciding with Khalsa Sajna Diwas and Vancouver’s major Vaisakhi celebrations — deepened the community’s outrage. The Vancouver Police Department has launched an investigation into the vandalism, according to local media.
Gurdwara officials denounced the graffiti as part of a wider extremist campaign aiming to create rifts in an otherwise united community
“This act is part of an ongoing campaign by extremist forces that seek to instil fear and division within the Canadian Sikh community,” read a statement from KDS. “Their actions undermine the values of inclusivity, respect, and mutual support that are foundational to both Sikhism and Canadian society.”
KDS also highlighted that pro-Khalistan groups had been barred from participating in its own Vaisakhi parade held the previous weekend.
Speaking to Canadian media, KDS spokesperson Jag Sanghera described the vandalism as “extensive” and particularly hurtful given the historical significance of the gurdwara, which was founded in 1906 and stands as a pillar of the Sikh-Canadian community.