The Coalition of Hindus of North America (COHNA) and Hindu Forum Canada have increasingly positioned themselves as vocal representatives of Hindu communities in North America. However, a closer examination of their rhetoric, actions, and affiliations reveals a pattern of divisive narratives, strategic misinformation, and alignment with Indian state objectives. These organizations have consistently engaged in practices that undermine harmony, distort historical truths, and target specific communities, particularly Sikhs in Canada. Their interventions raise profound concerns about their role in perpetuating discord and promoting narratives that align with India’s geopolitical goals. 

A consistent theme in the rhetoric of these organizations is the deliberate undermining of the recognition of the 1984 Sikh genocide. Their insistence on referring to the systematic targeting of Sikhs during that period as “riots” perpetuates a harmful denialist narrative. This misrepresentation minimizes the state-sponsored nature of the violence, documented extensively by India’s own Nanavati Commission and international human rights organizations. By framing their arguments as a call for “balanced teaching,” these groups subtly question the legitimacy of genocide recognition. Such framing not only downplays the scale of violence but also serves to delegitimize the Sikh community’s demands for justice. 

This rhetorical strategy aligns closely with the Indian state’s approach, which seeks to dilute its culpability and shift focus away from the atrocities of 1984. For decades, the Indian government has sought to equate Sikh activism for justice with extremism. COHNA and Hindu Forum Canada amplify this narrative, framing Sikhs’ pursuit of accountability as a divisive or dangerous act. Their repeated calls for so-called balanced perspectives are less about fostering understanding and more about suppressing uncomfortable truths. 

A particularly troubling tactic employed by these organizations is the conflation of the 1984 genocide with the 1985 Air India bombing. This false equivalence erases the fundamental differences between state-sponsored violence and the actions of non-state actors. While the Sikh community has consistently condemned the Air India tragedy and rejected its perpetrators, COHNA and Hindu Forum Canada weaponize the event to malign Sikhs collectively. By juxtaposing a state-orchestrated campaign of mass violence against Sikhs with the actions of a small group of individuals, these organizations distort historical narratives to serve their agenda. 

This narrative not only deflects attention from India’s culpability in 1984 but also seeks to paint an entire community with suspicion. It is a calculated effort to shift the focus from systemic state violence to an isolated incident, exploiting the tragedy of Air India to delegitimize Sikh voices and suppress their calls for justice. Such framing not only misrepresents history but also fosters an atmosphere of distrust and animosity against Sikhs. 

Hindu Forum Canada’s recent attempts to influence Canadian educational institutions further exemplify their divisive agenda. Their critique of a poetry contest addressing the 1984 genocide reveals a broader strategy to sanitize history and reshape public discourse in alignment with their ideological leanings. By opposing efforts to educate students about the 1984 genocide, they aim to obscure the truth and replace it with a narrative that aligns with Indian state propaganda. Their letter to Canadian schools, which conflates genocide recognition with bias and divisiveness, illustrates a clear attempt to interfere in how historical events are taught, promoting a version of history that erases Sikh suffering while amplifying Hindu victimhood. 

This interference in Canadian education mirrors India’s disinformation tactics, which have been well-documented by entities like the EU DisinfoLab and Canada’s Rapid Response Mechanism (RRM). By importing India’s communal politics into Canada, organizations like COHNA and Hindu Forum Canada are not merely engaging in ideological debates but actively fostering divisions within Canadian society. Their framing of Sikh activism as extremism and their denial of historical truths create fractures within communities, perpetuating distrust and antagonism. 

Both organizations have also been vocal in their criticism of Canadian politicians who seek to address communal tensions or promote harmony. Their rhetoric against Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown, for instance, accuses him of pandering to Khalistani extremists for implementing by-laws to protect places of worship. By framing such measures as capitulation to extremism, they undermine efforts to foster peace and unity. Their opposition to these initiatives reveals their true agenda: to perpetuate the narrative of Hindu victimhood while vilifying Sikhs. 

The activities of COHNA and Hindu Forum Canada cannot be viewed in isolation. They operate within a larger ecosystem of Indian state interference in Canada, where disinformation campaigns, lobbying efforts, and communal divisions are tools used to suppress dissent and advance India’s interests. Recent revelations from Canadian intelligence agencies highlight the extent to which India has targeted diaspora communities, particularly Sikhs, through transnational repression and disinformation. Organizations like COHNA, whether intentionally or not, become complicit in these efforts when they amplify narratives that align with Indian state objectives. 

Their framing of Sikh activism as extremism, their denial of the 1984 genocide, and their conflation of unrelated events all serve to distract from India’s culpability while shifting blame onto the very communities seeking justice. These tactics not only perpetuate mistrust but also create real-world consequences for Sikhs, who face increased scrutiny and suspicion as a result. 

The rhetoric and actions of COHNA and Hindu Forum Canada represent a direct challenge to the principles of equity, truth, and inclusivity that Canada strives to uphold. Their alignment with divisive narratives and their attempts to reshape Canadian discourse raise critical questions about their motivations and affiliations. Recognizing their role within the broader context of Indian foreign interference and communal politics is essential to safeguarding the integrity of Canadian society. As these organizations continue to amplify disinformation and foster divisions, it becomes imperative for Canadian institutions, media, and the public to critically examine their influence and hold them accountable for the harm they perpetuate. The pursuit of justice, truth, and harmony requires vigilance against those who seek to distort history and divide communities for their own ends. 

Author: Naunihal Singh