In a landmark decision, the City Council of Mississauga, one of Canada’s largest and most diverse municipalities, has unanimously passed a motion recognising and condemning anti-Hindu hate — marking a significant step toward acknowledging the discrimination faced by Hindu Canadians.
The motion, introduced on Wednesday by Councillor Dipika Damerla and seconded by Councillor Joe Horneck, formally denounces “verbal, physical, digital, or institutional acts of discrimination directed at Hindu individuals, organizations, or places of worship.”
Referring to a rise in hate-motivated incidents across Canada — including the vandalism of temples, targeted online misinformation, and harassment of Hindu students in schools — the motion highlighted how such acts have created “anxiety and fear among Hindu residents.”
Mississauga, home to one of Canada’s largest Hindu communities, becomes the seventh-largest municipality in the country to formally adopt such a resolution.
Councillor Damerla, addressing the chamber, said the city’s action was not about setting a new precedent but about “applying the same principle of fairness.”
“There is real, systemic anti-Hindu hate that too often goes unnamed and unchallenged,” she said. “When we name something, we shame it — and that’s how change begins.”
Mayor Carolyn Parrish echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the city’s duty to protect all residents.
“Mississauga is home to one of Canada’s largest Hindu communities, and it’s our duty as a city to make sure every resident feels safe and respected,” Parrish said.
The motion follows similar recognitions of anti-Semitism and Islamophobia previously passed by the city.
Community organizations welcomed the decision as a “historic and healing step.” Rishabh Sarswat, president of the Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA) Canada, praised the move:
“This is a powerful message from one of Canada’s largest cities — that Hinduphobia has no place in our country.”
The Canadian Hindus for Harmony group called the motion “the first step toward addressing systemic hate,” urging the city to fund educational programs and awareness campaigns to counter misinformation and prejudice.
Meanwhile, the Canadian Organization for Hindu Heritage Education (COHHE) hailed the decision as “a victory for the entire community,” calling on local law enforcement to strengthen hate-crime data collection and response mechanisms.
In a statement, the Hindu Canadian Foundation said the motion “acknowledges the lived experiences of Hindu Canadians and affirms their right to safety, dignity, and cultural respect.”
Mississauga’s motion comes just weeks after Wainwright, Alberta, became the first Canadian municipality to formally recognize Hinduphobia — signaling what advocates hope will be a growing national movement to combat anti-Hindu sentiment across Canada.