Anti-Hindutva event in Montreal, Canada, disrupted: 'Mob shouted misogynistic insults'

By Our Representative

An event in Canada, "The Struggle Must Continue! Hindutva Fascism in India and in the Diaspora, and its Impacts on Minorities”, is reported to have been disrupted in Montreal by a mob of more than 70 persons, identified as belonging to extreme right Hindu organisations. They reportedly pulled fire alarms inside the venue where the event was taking place, heckled and shouted down attendees.

"The mob surrounded the venue entrance, shouting misogynistic insults, and ultimately barged into the venue, blocking many participants from entering", eye-witnesses were quoted as saying.

The North American diaspora group Indian American Muslim Council (IAMC) said, the "harassment followed earlier threats by Hindu nationalist groups—some of which have ties to overseas extremist organizations—pressuring Concordia University to revoke permission for the event. Due to these threats, the organizers relocated the event from its original venue to an alternate location."

The groups involved in disrupting the event have been identified as the Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA)-Canada, the Canadian Organization for Hindu Heritage Education (COHHE), and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad-Canada, an overseas offshoot of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP). CIA has designated VHP as 'religious militant group'.

The disruption took placed amidst the Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America recently getting bogged down in controversy for its decision to parade an Ram Mandir float at the the New York City Indian independence day celebrations.

“IAMC unequivocally condemns the efforts of belligerent Hindu nationalists to undermine the free-speech rights of Canadian activists and academics,” said IAMC President Mohammed Jawad. “The fury of these counter protesters shows just how powerful our fight is to shine light on the dangers of Hindu supremacy.”

Though the event organizers took steps to de-escalate the situation as it unfolded, the right-wing Hindu groups did not vacate the premises until firefighters came and building security called the police, who escorted them outside of the building, said sources.

"The incident forms part of a longer Hindu nationalist campaign to silence overseas critics, which in the past has included sending countless death, rape, and bomb threats to U.S. academics", underlined IAMC.

“If we do not stand up to protect the free speech of activists critical of Hindu nationalism, our rights will continue to be attacked and eroded by belligerent organizations with ties to violent groups abroad,” added Jawad.

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