Swastika and Bill C-9: A Legislative Appeal for Truth and Respect - 100+ Orgs join HCF call to Remove Swastiak from Bill C-9
Remove “Swastika” from Bill C-9
A Call for Truth, Cultural Justice, and Canadian Values
The Swastika is a sacred symbol of peace, prosperity, and well-being for millions of Hindus, Jains, Buddhists, and Indigenous cultures worldwide. Its wrongful association with hate in Bill C-9 by naming it with the word "Nazi" undermines the very spirit of the bill and risks criminalizing innocent cultural expression.
Let’s stand together to protect sacred symbols and uphold the values of truth, inclusion, and justice.
The Hindu Canadian Foundation’s testimony calling for the removal of “Swastika” from Bill C-9 is endorsed by over 100 organizations, including Jewish, Jain, Buddhist, and other multicultural and faith-based groups across Canada.
On November 6, the Hindu Canadian Foundation's President Arunesh Giri presented its testimony before the Justice and Human Rights Committee of Parliament regarding Bill C-9. The testimony focused on the urgent need to remove the word “Swastika” from the bill and to correct its association with the hate term “Nazi.”
The Swastika is a sacred symbol of peace and prosperity for Hindu, Jain, Buddhist, and Indigenous communities. Its misrepresentation as a hate symbol undermines the bill’s intent to combat genuine hate propaganda and risks criminalizing innocent cultural expression.
The testimony received a very positive response from a wide range of community organizations, including Jewish, Jain, Buddhist, and multicultural groups, as well as members across party lines. The term “Hakenkreuz”, used by the Nazis themselves, is the historically accurate and appropriate reference for the Nazi hate symbol.
This cross-community support reflects a shared commitment to truth, cultural dignity, and Canadian values. The Hindu Canadian Foundation continues to advocate for legislative clarity and respect for sacred traditions.
HCF Stand on BILL C-9:
We support the Government of Canada’s efforts to propose Bill C-9 to address hate crimes, and we stand in solidarity with all Canadian communities facing hate crimes. Hindu Canadians have been severely impacted over the last decade, and especially in recent years, as our Mandir (temples) have become constant targets of hate. More than 30 temples have been attacked in the past three years, and Hindu children and women have been assaulted in broad daylight by CBKE Groups. This bill offers hope to over 1.5 million Hindus and other communities to stand firm against rising hate and protect our basic democratic rights, to live freely, visit our places of worship without fear, and exercise our rights equally.
However, our concern is in the use of the word “Swastika” in hate references in Section 2.2(b) and its association with the Nazi hate symbol. The Swastika is a sacred symbol in Hindu (Sanatan Dharm) civilization, dating back thousands of years, and is widely used and worshipped by over 2 billion Hindus, Jains, and Buddhists worldwide, including over 1.5 million Hindus in Canada. Hindus use the Swastika extensively. It adorns the entrances of our homes as a “welcome” sign and is seen in our Mandirs (temples), both at home and in public.
Swastika and It's Assocation with Canadian History:
During festivals such as Deepawali, Navratri, Paryushan, Mahavir Jayanti, Vesak and others, Hindus and other communities draw or use Swastikas in different form e.g. at their doorsteps and create colorful Rangoli patterns containing Swastikas. When purchasing a new car or starting a business, the symbol is prominently displayed in homes and shops. Therefore, using the word “Swastika” in this bill is deeply concerning to millions of Hindu Canadians and other communities and risks inciting hateful behavior toward them. This usage could ignite further hatred against 1.5 million Hindus in Canada, undermining the very purpose of Bill C-9.
The Swastika has deep roots in Canadian history, including its use by early hockey teams as a symbol of good fortune and strength. One notable example is the Windsor Swastikas, a Canadian ice hockey team from Windsor, Nova Scotia, active between 1905 and 1916. Long before the symbol was misappropriated by the Nazis, the team proudly wore the Swastika on their uniforms, reflecting its ancient meaning of luck, light, life, and love. This historical reference underscores the Swastika’s positive legacy in Canada and highlights the importance of distinguishing it from the Nazi Hakenkreuz.
Furthermore, the word “Swastika” does not originate from Latin or its derivatives (German/Deutsch or other European languages). Hitler and the Nazis never referred to their symbol as “Swastika” or “Nazi Swastika”; they used the term “Hakenkreuz”, “Nazi Hakenkreuz” or “hooked cross,” which is well documented in historical records. Associating the Swastika with Nazi symbols or word “Nazi” or antisemitism spreads misinformation and places the over a 1.5 million Hindu Canadians at greater risk, not only in Canada but globally, while confusing the broader public about the nature of hate symbols.
We urge the committee and chair, Canada being a global leader and a nation that upholds values of inclusion and truth, to remove the word “Swastika” and any reference to it from Bill C-9. This would be a vital first step in amplifying the spirit of the bill and using the correct term for the hate symbol: “Hakenkreuz.”
We understand that Bill C-9 bans the Nazi Hakenkreuz. However, it also uses the phrase “also known as Nazi Swastika,” which is incorrect and unacceptable to Hindu, Jain & Other communities. This concern is shared by nearly all major Jewish organizations, including B’nai Brith Canada, CIJA, ALCCA, and others.
Prominent Jewish organizations such as Bnai Brith Canada, CIJA, Alliance of Canadians Combating Antisemitism and others have already corrected this terminology in their campaigns and educational materials. They have removed the word “Swastika” and it’s association with word “NAZI’ and rightly referred to the hate symbol as Hakenkreuz. We commend their allyship in rectifying a historical mistake and urge Honorable committee and Parliament to follow suit.
Numerous examples from Canada and abroad support this correction, examples include:
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October 19, 2025 – CIJA calls on the government to protect the use of the word “Swastika.”
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September 19, 2025 – B’nai Brith Canada omits “Swastika” from its release, using “Hakenkreuz” instead.
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May 2025 – Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe requests removal of “Swastika” from hate references.
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March 2025 – B’nai Brith Canada revises its campaign after community outreach.
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March 2025 – Durham Region amends its motion to remove “Swastika” from hate context.
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Peel and Montreal Police update hate crime reporting tools to remove “Swastika.”
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Victoria State, Australia bans antisemitic symbols, excluding “Swastika” from hate references.
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Oregon Department of Education circulates materials distinguishing Swastika from Hakenkreuz.
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Former MP Chandra Arya speaks in Parliament against misuse of “Swastika.”
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Former MP Peter Julian removed “Swastika” from Bill C-229 after community engagement.
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Toronto Star and other media outlets revise terminology to use “Hakenkreuz” instead of “Swastika.”
We recommend the following amendments to Bill C-9:
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Remove all references to “Swastika” or it’s association with Word “Nazi” and replace them with the accurate term “Hakenkreuz” or “Nazi Hakenkreuz.”
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Educate communities, law enforcement, and media on the correct terminology.
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Strengthen Protections for Sacred Use of the Swastika. We urge the committee to include clear and explicit exemptions for the religious and cultural use of the Swastika. The current language in subsection 2.2 of 3.2(a) is too broad to prevent misinterpretation. As seen in Victoria State, Australia, specific protections are essential to avoid harmful conflation with Nazi symbols and to uphold Canada’s commitment to religious freedom and cultural dignity.
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Ensure future committee communications and press releases explicitly mention Hinduphobia, alongside antisemitism, Islamophobia, and homophobia.
We want to reiterate, the use of word Swastika in conjunction with Nazi hate work could ignite further hatred against 1.5 million Hindus in Canada, undermining the very purpose of Bill C-9. Finally, it is important to reflect on the very spirit with which Bill C-9 was introduced to combat “hate propaganda” and protect vulnerable communities. However, by including the word “Swastika” in conjunction with the term “Nazi,” the bill contradicts its own intent. Instead of countering hate, this mislabeling risks perpetuating misinformation and inadvertently targets communities for whom the Swastika is a sacred and ancient symbol of peace and well-being.
If the reference to “Swastika” is not removed completely, the bill risks losing its moral clarity and undermining its purpose. Let us uphold the true spirit of Bill C-9 by removing the word “Swastika” and replacing it with the historically accurate term “Hakenkreuz.” We urge the committee to adopt the recommendations of the Hindu Canadian Foundation. Let us ensure that Canada’s leadership is reflected in our legislation.
Our testimony is supported by over 100 organizations across Canada, including Hindu, Jain, Jewish, cultural, and social groups, all united in the call for truth, clarity, and respect
100+ Organizations Endorsing the Hindu Canadian Foundation Submission:
Importantly, Swastika is also a place name in Canada. The town of Swastika, Ontario, founded in the early 1900s, was named to reflect prosperity and good fortune. During World War II, despite pressure to change its name due to it’s inaccurate association with word “Nazi”, the residents refused, affirming that the name predated Nazi ideology and had no connection to hate. This example underscores the long-standing, peaceful use of the word “Swastika” in Canadian history and highlights the importance of preserving its true meaning.
S. No | Organaziation Name |
|---|---|
1 | Hindu Canadian Foundation |
2 | Vishwa Jain Sangathan Canada |
3 | Canadian Hindus For Harmony |
4 | Sri Jain Mandir Toronto |
5 | Canadian Hindu Volunteers |
6 | Hindu Sikh Unity Forum |
7 | Brampton Triveni Mandir |
8 | Panoram India |
9 | B’nai Brith Canada |
10 | Bhagwan 1008 Adinatha Swamy Jain Temple Brampton |
11 | Jain Community Services Canada |
12 | Shree Arihant Swetamber Murti Pujak Jain Sangh and Cultural Center Brampton |
13 | Hindu Active Volunteers Association |
14 | Canadian Hindu Community Welfare |
15 | Human Awakening Religious Integration One Mankind |
16 | Hindu Sabha Temple Brampton |
17 | South Asians in Ontario |
18 | Hindu Voice Matters |
19 | Sanatani Bangali Akota |
20 | United Canadian Sanatani Society |
21 | Sanatani Community South Shore Montreal |
22 | Kshatriya Welfare Association Of Canada |
23 | Hindu Community in Ottawa Foundation |
24 | South Asian Cultural and Health Association for Youth and Seniors |
25 | Hindu Association Canada Global |
26 | Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh Canada |
27 | Bharat Mata Mandir Brampton |
28 | Canadian Sanatan Mission |
29 | Jain International Trade Organization Canada |
30 | Gujarati Samaj of London Ontario |
31 | Srishti foundation. London ON |
32 | Hindu Legacy London ON |
33 | Divya Foundation Durham |
34 | Vedic Sevaks Charitable Society |
35 | North American Hindus Association |
36 | Shri Gauri Shankar Mandir Religious And Cultural Organization |
37 | My Indian In Canada Association |
38 | Hindi Writers Guild Canada |
39 | Hindu Society of PEI Inc. |
40 | Nataraj Youth Cultural Organization |
41 | Shri Radha Madhav Heritage and Cultural Center |
42 | Hamitlon Hindu Samaj Temple |
43 | Ontario Telugu Foundation |
44 | Sky Canada World Community Service Centre |
45 | Sanskar Canada |
46 | Samskrita Bharati (Canada |
47 | Canadian Jain Association of Business & Professionals |
48 | Santan Mandir Canada |
49 | Ganesh Utsav - Team YUVA |
50 | Telgu Friends Club |
51 | Sri Venkateswara Hindu Heritage and Cultural Center of Hamilton |
52 | Milton Marathi Group |
53 | Halton Bihar Association |
54 | Radio Dhishum |
55 | Sanskriti Cultural Awareness Society of BC |
56 | Sheetal Sangeet Canadian Broadcasting |
57 | Hamilton Teluguvaaru Association (HTA) |
58 | HALTON CANADIAN PARIVAR |
59 | Yugal Kunj - Radha Krishna Temple and Community Centre |
60 | Odias in Canada |
61 | Global Odia Parivar |
62 | Bhumihar Samaj of Canada |
63 | Bhagwat Chintan |
64 | Bramhin welfare association |
65 | Canadian Hindu Community Welfare |
66 | Bihar and Jharkhand Canadian cultural association |
67 | Halifax Hindu Society |
68 | Toronto Telugu Community |
69 | Durham Telugu Club |
70 | DURHAM TELUGU Association |
71 | SV TEMPLE OF Durham |
72 | UPICA (Uttar Pradeshies in Canada) |
73 | Chinmaya Mission London (Canada |
74 | Atlantic Alliance of Uttar Bharat |
75 | Hindu Cultural Centre London |
76 | Chinmaya Mission Ottawa |
77 | Tatvamasi Kerala Hindus London Ontario |
78 | Chinmaya Mission Halton |
79 | Brantford Brant Telugu Association |
80 | Gujrati Samaj of London, ON |
81 | Karnavati London Association |
82 | Bengali Community of London Ontario |
83 | Hindi Times |
84 | Hindu Times Canada |
85 | International Hindu Foundation |
86 | Brantford Hindu Temple |
87 | Brantford Gujarati Group |
88 | Shirdi Sai Seva Samiti London |
89 | Halton Telugu Association”, HATA |
90 | 42 Kadva Patidar samaj, canada |
91 | Umiyadham culture center,Toronto |
92 | Canada Dhol Tasha, Lazim |
93 | Himachali Pravasi Global Association (HPGA |
94 | Friends of Gujarat (FOG) |
95 | Gujjus of Hamilton |
96 | Vishwa umiya foundation |
97 | Umiya Dham Canada |
98 | Humans for Harmony |
99 | Indian Family Association (IFA |
100 | Bharatiya Culture Association, Toronto |
101 | Indian Family Association (IFA) |
102 | Bharatiya Culture Association, Toronto |
HCF's Action-Oriented Approach to Remove the Swastika from Bill C-9.
The Hindu Canadian Foundation has been actively working at the grassroots level with Members of Parliament from various political parties to advocate the removal of the term "Swastika" from Bill C-9, which misrepresents a sacred symbol for millions Hindus. HCF has engaged with over a dozen MPs through in-person and online meetings to garner support and emphasize the importance of cultural sensitivity in legislation. We are closely monitoring the situation and are optimistic about potential amendments to Bill C-9.
HCF President Arunesh Giri provided testimony for Bill C9, highlighting concerns about the use of the term "scared swastika" in connection with the Nazi reference and its for hate speech. He advocated for its removal from Bill C-9
HCF Brief has been submitted to the Parliament Committee. Please share it the community to help raise awareness. If you have any, don't hesitate to reach out at namaste@hinducanadian.org.