Batoge to katoge echoes in Canada after temple attack

The slogan for Hindus to forgo differences and stand united that has been circulating in India in recent days, echoed in Canada after a temple was attacked by a pro-Khalistani mob. A video showed the priest of the temple in Brampton, where devotees were attacked, warning community members, "batoge to katoge" (division will bring annihilation).

Calling for Hindu unity after a pro-Khalistani mob attacked devotees at Brampton's Hindu Sabha temple, the temple's priest addressed the gathering saying, "Batoge to Katoge".

"In Canada, too, Hindus need to be united... If you stay united, you will be saved," he appealed to the crowd in front of the temple, as seen in several videos on social media.

"This is not just an attack on any Hindu Sabha [Temple]; this is an attack on every Hindu around the world," the priest whose name could not be ascertained was heard saying.

"That’s why the time has come for us to stop thinking only about ourselves and start thinking about our future generations," the priest added after the attack.

The people outside the Hindu temple also raised the slogan, "Bharat Mata ki Jai", meaning 'Hail Mother India'.

The pro-Khalistani group barged into the temple premises and attacked the devotees holding Khalistani flags. While Canadian leaders, including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and a Hindu MP in his Cabinet, criticised the attack, they tried to whitewash the fact that the attackers were pro-Khalistani supporters.

Trudeau named and thanked the Peel Regional Police for protecting the community and investigating the incident. However, the Peel Police is being criticised for its high-handedness and "bias".

"The police started attacking Hindu worshippers on their own temple grounds," said Bordman. "Watch as an officer goes into the crowd to go after Hindu devotees after pushing them back to protect the Khalistanis who came to harass the temple goers on Diwali. Punching Hindus in the head and beating them with batons was caught on video," he added.

"We have never seen Canadian police take any action the Khalistanis," Bordman told India Today TV.

The incident has sparked outrage, with many calling for an investigation into the police’s actions as well.

In June this year, another Hindu temple, the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, was vandalised in Edmonton, allegedly by Khalistani supporters, who painted graffiti on the walls. This incident sparked outrage by Hindu organisations.

The slogan "batenge to katenge" was popularised by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, and became a call for Hindu unity in the last few weeks.

During Janmashtami celebrations in August, he said that the strength of the nation lay in staying together. Making a reference to the Bangladesh crisis and Hindus being persecuted there, Yogi Adityanath said, "Batenge toh katenge".

The slogan was later endorsed by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) too.