HCF Advocacy in Action: Toronto Star Corrects Symbol Mislabeling of Swastika, A Win for Cultural Sensitivity and Hindu Advocacy

Toronto Star Correction in Canadian Media: Hakenkreuz Is Not the Swastika

In a landmark move for Canadian media, the Toronto Star has officially revised its article to correctly identify the Nazi emblem as the Hakenkreuz, not the sacred Swastika, a correction hailed by advocacy groups as a historic step toward responsible journalism and cultural respect.

The change comes after swift engagement with the Hindu Canadian Foundation (HCF), which provided educational resources highlighting the deep spiritual significance of the Swastika in Hindu, Jain, and Buddhist traditions. The corrected article now includes vital context distinguishing the Swastika, a symbol of peace, prosperity, and cosmic balance, from the Hakenkreuz, the hooked cross adopted by the Nazi regime as a symbol of hate and violence.

“We commend the Toronto Star editorial team and reporter Mark Ramzy for their openness to dialogue and their commitment to truth,” said HCF President Arunesh Giri. “This correction reflects true journalistic integrity and sets a precedent for how media can engage with cultural communities to ensure accuracy and respect.”

The mislabeling of the Hakenkreuz as the Swastika has long been a source of pain and misrepresentation for Hindu Canadians. The Swastika, derived from the Sanskrit word svastika meaning “well-being,” has been used for millennia in sacred rituals, temple architecture, and spiritual texts. Its conflation with Nazi iconography has led to misunderstanding, discrimination, and even censorship of religious expression.

The updated article not only corrects terminology but also acknowledges the broader advocacy efforts led by HCF and allied organizations such as B’nai Brith Canada, and Vishwa Jain Sangathan Canada, CoHNA Canada, who have been working to educate the public and policymakers on the distinction between these two symbols.

The Swastika is a sacred symbol signifying peace, prosperity, and spiritual energy,

used in rituals, architecture, and scriptures across millennia. Mistaking it for the Nazi emblem, the Hakenkreuz, distorts its purpose and leads to:

• Emotional distress for countless Hindus

• Misunderstanding and misrepresentation of sacred symbols

• Confusion in classrooms and communities

This correction arrives amid growing calls for legislation to ban Nazi symbols in Canada, with advocacy groups urging the federal government to criminalize the public display of the Hakenkreuz while protecting sacred symbols like the Swastika.

As the conversation around hate symbols and cultural literacy evolves, this moment marks a powerful reminder: education and respectful engagement can lead to meaningful change.

The Hindu Canadian Foundation remains committed to fostering understanding, promoting accurate representation, and building an inclusive society where sacred traditions are honored not misrepresented.

Read more from the Hindu Canadian Foundation and the Toronto Star’s updated article.