Multi Faith Coalition of 70+ Organisations Asks Canadian Lawmakers For Accuracy and Fairness in New Anti-Hate Measures

October 09, 2025, Ottawa, ON: More than 70 organizations (Hindu, Jewish, Interfaith, and Muslim) have signed a coalition letter asking Canadian lawmakers to be accurate and provide the right context in the usage of the word ‘Swastika’ in new measures seeking to tackle hate. At issue—Bill C-9, (Combatting Hate Act), introduced by MP Sean Fraser, and Petition e-6625, introduced by MP Melissa Lantsman, Deputy Leader of the Official Opposition.

Though well-intentioned, both measures contain a critical and dangerous flaw in their wording. They conflate the sacred Swastika with the evil Nazi symbol of hate—the Hakenkreuz. This flaw, if not corrected, will turn a measure designed to combat hate into a tool that will strengthen prejudice and hate towards Canadian Hindus, Jains, and Buddhists.

The latest list of signatories can be found here. Together they represent the spectrum of Hindus in Canada—temples, cultural entities, spiritual groups—with roots across the world, from Bangladesh, India, and Nepal to the Caribbean and more. Joining them are a number of interfaith allies.

While supporting the overall intent, this diverse array of Canadian organizations are troubled by the usage of the words, “Nazi Swastika / identifying the Nazi symbol as the “Swastika”, in both measures. Specifically:

• Language in Bill C-9 identifies the symbol as, “the Nazi Hakenkreuz, also known as the Nazi Swastika.” While mentioning the correct German term, “Hakenkreuz,” it immediately negates this accuracy by legitimizing the mistranslation “Swastika.”

Worse, Bill C-9 criminalizes any symbol that “so nearly resembles” the banned emblem that it might be “confused” with it. This creates a legal minefield. Any Canadian displaying a Swastika in their home, temple, or during a festival could be subject to investigation and prosecution. 

• Verbiage in Petition e-6625 calls to “finally ban the Swastika.” This language is not merely inaccurate; it constitutes a direct legislative assault on a sacred symbol and word, offering no distinction or qualification. The result—criminalizing an ancient symbol revered by two billion people across the world—including millions of Canadians.

Our ask is simple: we urge lawmakers to remove all references to the “Swastika” and accurately name the banned symbol as the “Nazi Hakenkreuz.” This difference is nuanced but critical. Research has shown that Hitler and the Nazis never used the word “Swastika,” calling their hateful symbol the “Hakenkreuz.” Reporting on the rise of Hitler in the 1920s, Western press used the term “Hakenkreuz,” as did the Nazis who published newspapers named for the Hakenkreuz. The new measures can serve to clarify and correct a historical misunderstanding instead of strengthening it.

For the past few years, Hindus have been at the receiving end of rising hate in Canada as evidenced by the slew of repeated vandalism attacks on our temples, physical assaults driven by racism and religious bigotry, along with a flood of online hate speech. “While we certainly appreciate and support the intent of the Bill,” said Rishabh Saraswat, president of CoHNA Canada, “this detail around words is critical, and we ask for a simple fix to ensure Canada can combat hate for all communities while also advancing the cause of accuracy.”

Individual Canadians can make their voices heard by sending this email to their lawmakers.

Impact

Misinformation about the Swastika has real life consequences. Hindus have been reported to HR departments and apartment managers for simply displaying their sacred symbols in their own homes. Canadian residents have been questioned by the police for simply drawing it on their own vehicles. A Hindu woman named Swastika found herself banned from using Uber in Australia, and a UK caretaker was unfairly dismissed over a Swastika tattoo. 

In immigrant-heavy communities, many such incidents go unreported, often out of fear of repercussions, and lack of understanding of how to approach the system. Self censorship is also rife—propagating a form of religious discrimination unacceptable in any society that claims to protect civil liberties.

A leading legal voice like Mark Sandler who is chair of the Alliance of Canadians Combatting Antisemitism (ALCCA) has also spoken against the Bill, “A prohibition on displaying the swastika, without recognizing its sacred meaning to Hindus, Buddhists, and Jains, would almost certainly be unconstitutional. It would violate section 2(a) of the Canadian Charter, which protects freedom of religion and conscience, by preventing these communities from displaying one of their holiest symbols,” he said.  

Background and History

Over the past five years, the Swastika Awareness Coalition, CoHNA, and its Hindu, Buddhist and Jain organizational partners have consistently said that the phrase “Nazi Swastika” violates the religious beliefs of these communities and continues to incorrectly label a sacred symbol that is thousands of years old as an emblem of hate and genocide. 

To correct this narrative, police departments in regions like Peel in Ontario and cities like Montreal in Quebec have updated their materials. Globally, the campaign has been successful in modifying similar legal measures in the U.S. in states like Virginia and California, as well as in Australian States like Victoria and New South Wales. 

For additional information and educational materials, please visit https://cohna.org/swastika.