Kumar Wrote To Pierre Poilievre That Temple Preferred Hindu, Jewish Conservative MPs And Not Sikh MPs Who Are “Ideologically Opposed” To Hindus!

Despite the flimsy apology on Punjabi radio station from Satish Kumar, president of Vedic Hindu Cultural Society, Surrey, Sikh-Canadians are very upset that Kumar wrote a “divisive letter” to Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre that he and the Society preferred Hindu and Jewish Conservative MPs to visit his temple because Sikhs were ideologically opposed to Hindus. Kumar naively thought that the offending letter would not be seen outside the Conservative leader’s office but it quickly leaked and made a fool of Kumar, who was forced to go to local Punjabi radio station and apologize at the host’s behest which hasn’t really gone down well with many Sikh-Canadians who want a formal written apology and Kumar fired from being the President of the Surrey Hindu temple. “When you get caught doing something stupid like this – a punishment is warranted, not an apology,” said a Sikh radio listener who called in with his comments. Even a Hindu caller to the radio station was critical of Kumar and said he couldn’t believe this man a temple President as he doesn’t even know how to speak and was very egotistical while being interviewed. “Being a Hindu, I was listening to your interview and being ashamed that this man (Satish Kumar) is a Hindu leader,” said the listener who the host referred to as Abhishek. “If this same thing is said by a Sikh leader then we all complain that Hindus are in danger and this and that. And it’s very shameful. You (Host) were the one suggesting an apology otherwise he (Kumar) wasn’t even willing to apologize as he spoke so arrogantly. It wasn’t even a proper apology. “I can’t believe this man is a head of a Hindu temple. He should be removed and the temple should offer a proper apology for this letter. If people like Kumar who are representing the temple are like this then they need to remove him and elect a new head for the temple. If Hindu temple heads are behaving like this then how they can expect Sikhs to be better behave with them,” Abhishek said on the radio, clip of which was also shared on social media.

By PD Raj – Senior Reporter DESIBUZZCanada

SURREY – Despite the flimsy apology on Punjabi radio station from Satish Kumar, president of Vedic Hindu Cultural Society, Surrey, Sikh-Canadians are very upset that Kumar wrote a “divisive letter” to Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre that he and the Society preferred Hindu and Jewish Conservative MPs to visit his temple because Sikhs were ideologically opposed to Hindus.

Kumar naively thought that the offending letter would not be seen outside the Conservative leader’s office but it quickly leaked and made a fool of Kumar, who was forced to go to local Punjabi radio station and apologize at the host’s behest which hasn’t really gone down well with many Sikh-Canadians who want a formal written apology and Kumar fired from being the President of the Surrey Hindu temple.

“When you get caught doing something stupid like this – a punishment is warranted, not an apology,” said a Sikh radio listener who called in with his comments.

“The letter got out like a cat out of a bag and now this Satish Kumar is offering apologies. This guy being a President knowingly signed the letter and he knew he what he was doing and for that he deserves to kicked out of the Mandir. He’s now saying he didn’t know what was written and trying to skirt responsibility when he knows exactly what he wrote and he needs to do the right thing and leave his post,” added the caller who said he respected Hindu temple but this conduct by the President is not acceptable.

Even a Hindu caller to the radio station was critical of Kumar and said he couldn’t believe this man a temple President as he doesn’t even know how to speak and was very egotistical while being interviewed.

“Being a Hindu, I was listening to your interview and being ashamed that this man (Satish Kumar) is a Hindu leader,” said the listener who the host referred to as Abhishek.

“If this same thing is said by a Sikh leader then we all complain that Hindus are in danger and this and that. And it’s very shameful. You (Host) were the one suggesting an apology otherwise he (Kumar) wasn’t even willing to apologize as he spoke so arrogantly. It wasn’t even a proper apology.

“I can’t believe this man is a head of a Hindu temple. He should be removed and the temple should offer a proper apology for this letter. If people like Kumar who are representing the temple are like this then they need to remove him and elect a new head for the temple. If Hindu temple heads are behaving like this then how they can expect Sikhs to be better behave with them,” Abhishek said on the radio, clip of which was also shared on social media.

While the Conservatives have not responded as to what they thought of the letter after the party had sent number of Sikh MPs like Tim Uppal and , Jasraj Hallan from outside BC and their local Sikh candidates like Jessi Sahota and Harjit Gill to the temple on the occasion of Lord Krishna’s Janmashtami, looking for votes, but Kumar’s letter directly implied he doesn’t want Sikhs coming there because they are “opposing ideological persons” and rather have Hindu and Jewish MPs come instead.

Kumar, whi also owns Reflections Banquet Hall, has been criticized on social media and on whatsapp where people are saying, “I guess when the Sikhs are paying big bucks for his hall, they ain’t opposing ideological persons?”

The Anti-Sikh rhetoric in the letter goes on to request that MPs Shuv Majumdar and Melissa Lantsman be sent instead in the future. 

“We wanted to let you know about the recent visit of CPC leaders to our mandir last weekend,” Kumar, who signed the letter, wrote.

Deputy Conservative Leader Tim Uppal, MP from Edmonton, Jasraj Hallan, MP from Calgary and Shadow Minister for Standing Committee on Finance and local candidates visited the temple on Janmashtami and were given the traditional honour scarfs.

But Kumar’s letter put hot water on all that went on in the temple on the glorious occasion of celebrating Lord Krishna.

“We are disheartened to see a lack of cultural sensitivity in your choice of sending opposing ideological persons to Canadian Hindu places of worship,” Kumar wrote.

Sikhs have previously criticized that this temple is a hot bed of RSS inspired anti-Sikh agenda as some of its members have previously been accused of spreading hate against Sikhs and now the letter makes it clear that the temple elite are no friends of the Sikh community. 

Ironically, the temple was built with much support and donations from the Sikh community as those who began the temple fell short of funds to complete it’s construction.