Amendment to the Bill C-9 to remove Swastika word from hate references passed in Parliamentary Justice Committee.
Submission to the Justice Committee –
https://www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Committee/451/JUST/Brief/BR13722716/br-external/CanadianHindusForHarmony-e.pdf
Dear Justice Committee,
We support Govt of Canada’s efforts to make legislation to address hate crimes in Canada, and we stand in solidarity with Jewish and all other Canadian communities facing hate crimes in Canada.
This is with reference to usage of the word swastika in the hate context in the bill c-9.
We request to remove the word swastika from this bill.
Swastika is Sanskrit word and it’s meaning is prosperity and well being of all. The word is used extensively in Jain, Hindu and Buddhists religious texts, prayers and rituals. Usage of swastika word in hate context deprives Jain, Hindu and Buddhist Canadians their religious rights to use the word in their prayers.
There is no swastika word in Latin or it’s derivative (German/Deutsch, or any other European) languages. Hitler and Nazis never called their symbol as swastika. Their word was hakenkreuz or hooked cross. Associating the word swastika with nazi symbol or antisemitism spreads misinformation and confuses Jain, Hindu and Buddhists learners about their scriptures.
Here are some of the examples where Government authorities in the West and leading Jewish groups have removed the word swastika from hate context and replaced it with the correct antisemitic word hakenkruez.
In May 2025, Saskatchewan Premier the honorable Scott Moe corrected his endorsement to remove swastika word from hate references, and he wrote letter to then Attorney General and Justice minister to remove swastika word from hate references –
In March 2025, B’nai Brith Canada had launched a campaign on their website to ban antisemitic hate symbols from Canada. In their original campaign, they had used the word swastika in hate context. When Hindu and Jain community approached and educated them on the sacred nature of swastika word, B’nai Brith revised their campaign to remove the word swastika from hate context and issued a press release. Related news article is here.
In March 2025, Durham region passed a motion to support Bna’tBrith’s original campaign to ban swastika, but later they amended their motion and removed the word swastika from hate context. and requested then Justice Minister of this change. Related news article is here.
Peel Police made changes to their hate crime reporting tool to remove reference to the word swastika from the context of hate.
Similar changes were made by the Montreal Police.
A legislation in Victoria state in Australia banning antisemitic symbols clearly calls out not to use the swastika word in hate references –
Department of Education in the Oregon state USA has circulated educational material to all parents and community members to explain the differences and usage of Nazi hakenkruez and the sacred swastika.
Statement from former MP Chandra Arya in the House of Commons regarding not to use swastika in hate references –
Former MP Mr. Peter Julian had also tabled similar bill c-229 in February 2022 in the House of Commons. The original bill had the same words as Nazi Swastika in it’s first reading, however, later Hindu community approached the MP and educated him about the importance and auspiciousness of the word swastika. The MP agreed and committed to remove the word swastika from the bill in the subsequent readings, however, subsequent readings did not happen in the previous session of the parliament. Our email correspondence with the MP can be provided upon request.
We request you to follow the same suite. Please remove the word swastika from hate references in this bill c-9. We are available for further discussion.
List of Consigning Organizations :