Surrey, Canada -In a concerning incident, gunshots were reported at the residence of the son of Satish Kumar, the president of Lakshmi Narayan Mandir, in Surrey. The incident took place on December 27, 2023, at around 8:03 am, as confirmed by the Surrey Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). Fortunately, no injuries were reported, but the residence sustained damage consistent with bullet holes.
The Surrey RCMP is actively investigating the matter, with a forensic unit examining the scene, interviewing witnesses, and seeking CCTV footage from the neighborhood. The motive behind the incident is yet to be determined.
This incident follows a series of concerns related to threats against the Lakshmi Narayan Mandir. In November, Member of Parliament Chandra Arya shared a video of purported Pro Khalistani supporters in Surrey, expressing intentions to cause trouble at the Hindu temple. However, the Surrey Police have not confirmed any direct link between the recent attack and these threats.
Reacting to the incident, the Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson, Arindam Bagchi, stated, “Our understanding of that incident in British Columbia is that it was at a private residence related to, of course, somebody who’s a member of the Temple Management Committee.”
Chandra Arya highlighted the broader issue of attacks on Hindu temples in Canada, citing instances of vandalism and hate crimes against the community in recent years. The investigation is ongoing, and the Surrey RCMP encourages anyone with information, including dash cam footage, to come forward.
Note: The situation is developing, and further updates will be provided as information becomes available.
