The Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA) has welcomed a “historic proclamation” by the Town of Wainwright, Alberta, which has become the first municipality in Canada to formally condemn Hinduphobia and anti-Hindu bigotry. The declaration aims to address anti-Hindu discrimination and intolerance while reaffirming the community’s shared commitment to diversity, equal protection, and civil rights.

The proclamation, led by Mayor Bruce Pugh and supported unanimously by the Town Council, recognizes Hinduism (Sanatana Dharma) as one of the world’s oldest and largest religions, practiced by more than 1.2 billion people in over 100 countries, according to a statement from CoHNA.

It also highlights the significant contributions of Canadian Hindus across multiple sectors, including public service, His Majesty’s Canadian Armed Forces, medicine, technology, academia, business, and community life. In addition, it celebrates the global influence of Hindu traditions such as yoga, Ayurveda, meditation, music, and cuisine, noting how these have enriched the fabric of Canadian society.

“Canada’s Hindu community has long exemplified the values of hard work, family, education, and respect for the rule of law,” the proclamation states, describing Wainwright as “a town that welcomes diversity and stands firmly against all forms of hate and discrimination.”

“This historic step by Mayor Pugh and the Wainwright Town Council sends a powerful message that anti-Hindu hate has no place in Canadian society,” said CoHNA-Canada president Rishabh Saraswat. “As Hindus continue to face rising bigotry, from online misinformation to temple vandalizations, such formal recognitions are vital to fostering inclusion and safety for our community.”

The official proclamation, signed by Mayor Pugh and Councilors of the Town of Wainwright, condemns Hinduphobia and affirms the many contributions of the Hindu community. CoHNA emphasized that this resolution sets an important precedent for other municipalities across Canada to follow.

Across North America, similar initiatives have gained momentum. In 2023, Forsyth County, Georgia, became the first U.S. jurisdiction to pass a resolution condemning anti-Hindu bigotry –an effort led by CoHNA’s Atlanta chapter and backed by a bipartisan group of lawmakers. The Wainwright proclamation now marks a parallel milestone north of the border.

The move comes amid growing concerns about anti-Hindu sentiment in Canada. In recent years, multiple Hindu temples have faced vandalism, while individuals have experienced harassment and physical violence. A 2021 Rutgers University report on Hinduphobia warned of the rising trend of online discrimination translating into real-world harm, an issue echoed by many community organizations in both Canada and the United States.

A recent study by the Institute for Strategic Dialogue (ISD) found that police-reported hate crimes against South Asians in Canada increased by 227 percent between 2019 and 2023. The study also documented that Hinduphobic slurs such as “pajeet” – identified in the Rutgers research—appeared in 26,600 online posts in Canada between May 2023 and April 2025.

“Formal recognition is critical in these matters. It ensures that when hate incidents occur – whether against Hindu temples, students, or symbols – they are understood, documented, and addressed,” said Roshan Prasad, a CoHNA member from Wainwright.

CoHNA said the Wainwright proclamation stands as a model for other communities across the country. The organization encourages municipalities interested in adopting similar measures to contact CoHNA for guidance, template proclamations, and advocacy support aimed at strengthening protections against religious discrimination.

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