Aman Kumar: Shots fired at residence of son of Lakshmi Narayan Mandir president in Canada, police investigate drive in firing | India News

AMRITSAR: An incident of drive-by firing in front of the residence of Aman Kumar, son of Satish Kumar, president of Lakshmi Narayan Mandir in Surrey, Canada, has instilled concerns within the Indian community, particularly among Hindus. They have frequently voiced opposition to individuals associated with Khalistani ideologies who have been defacing the temple with graffiti and promoting anti-Indian sentiments, as well as staging protests in proximity to the Hindu temple, aiming to attract attention to their cause.
Satish Kumar informed on Friday, “On Tuesday night (local Canadian time), some miscreants opened fire in front of my son’s residence, located just a few blocks away from my house.The incident went unnoticed until the following morning, Wednesday, when we became aware of the firing and informed the police.”
He said that, as of now, the police were investigating the incident and had yet to identify any specific group or gang associated with the occurrence.
When asked about the potential connection between the incident and Khalistani militants, given the local Hindu community’s opposition to them near the temple, Satish said that it was premature to draw any conclusions.
Offering an alternative perspective, he said, “I believe it could be the work of extortionists who are unfortunately prevalent in Canada, but I can’t rule out the involvement of Khalistanis.”

Hindu temples in Canada have consistently encountered repeated acts of aggression, vandalism, and defacement by Khalistani elements, who have been known to target the temples with Khalistani slogans and referendum posters, posing an ongoing threat to the safety of temple management committees.
Satish informed that a large number of the local Sikh population regularly participate in the religious services at the temple and pay obeisance, and both communities enjoy good relations. “Even both of my sons are married into Sikh families,” he said.
He said that Khalistani proponents often maintain that their grievances are not directed against Hindus, but against the Indian government, and they choose to stage their demonstrations in front of Hindu temples to draw attention.
Stating that Canada had become a haven for gangsters from India, he said that the incident might be the work of extortionists. However, he added, “This is just my apprehension; the police will ultimately determine who is behind the incident.”
Meanwhile, a release issued by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in Surrey, on December 28, said, “On December 27, 2023, at approximately 8:03 am, Surrey RCMP responded to a report of shots fired at a residence in the 14900 block of 80 Avenue. No one was injured during the incident, but the residence involved sustained damage consistent with bullet holes. Police remained in the area, examining the scene, speaking with witnesses, and canvassing the neighborhood for CCTV footage. The Surrey RCMP General Investigation Unit has conducted the investigation. Officers are still working to determine the motive of this incident.”