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Wainwright becomes first Canadian municipality to issue proclamation condemning Hinduphobia
Alberta town leads a national precedent in denouncing anti-Hindu hate, backed by community advocates.
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Anushka Pathak - Wed, 08, Oct 2025
- 11:22 EDT
- 6
Wainwright Mayor Bruce Pugh presents the official resolution on Hinduphobia to (right) CoHNA Canada president Rishabh Saraswat and (left) Wainwright resident Roshan Prasad / Courtesy: CoHNA Canada
The Town of Wainwright in Alberta made history on Oct. 7, 2025, by becoming the first Canadian municipality to officially denounce Hinduphobia and anti-Hindu discrimination through a formal proclamation.
Led by Mayor Bruce Pugh and the Town Council, the declaration acknowledges Hinduism’s long-standing principles of peace and mutual respect while reaffirming civic protections for the Hindu community amid a visible rise in hate incidents.
The proclamation highlights the role of Canadian Hindus across public service, medicine, academia, business, and the Canadian Armed Forces.
“Canada’s Hindu community has long exemplified the values of hard work, family, education, and respect for the rule of law,” the proclamation reads, reaffirming Wainwright’s stance on diversity and equal opportunity.
It further recognizes the cultural impact of Hindu traditions such as yoga, Ayurveda, and Indian cuisine, underscoring their contributions to Canada’s multicultural fabric.
The move received strong backing from the Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA) Canada, a grassroots advocacy group promoting Hindu civil rights. CoHNA-Canada president Rishabh Saraswat hailed it as a “historic step,” adding, “This action by Mayor Pugh and the Wainwright Town Council sends a clear message that anti-Hindu hate has no place in Canadian society.”
#BREAKING: Wainwright, Alberta recognizes Hinduphobia! CoHNA Canada helps make history.
— CoHNA Canada (@CoHNACanada) October 8, 2025
The @TownWainwright has become Canada’s first municipality to issue a proclamation condemning Hinduphobia and anti-Hindu bigotry, recognizing Hinduism’s (Sanatana Dharma’s) values of peace,… pic.twitter.com/kY235teP4N
Saraswat further noted, “As Hindus face growing bigotry—from online misinformation to temple vandalizations—formal recognitions like this are essential to fostering inclusion and safety.”
Local resident and CoHNA member Roshan Prasad echoed this sentiment, saying, “Formal recognition is critical. It ensures that hate incidents targeting temples, students, or symbols are understood, documented, and addressed.”
The proclamation follows a surge in anti-Hindu activity across Canada, including temple vandalism and a 227 percent increase in police-reported hate crimes against South Asians between 2019 and 2023.
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