Toronto, Apr 8 (PTI) Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney visited BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Canada's Toronto and joined the Hindu community in marking the festival of Ram Navami.

"Joined Hindu community members at the @BAPS_Toronto Mandir yesterday (Sunday) for the first day of Ram Navami celebrations. Thank you for sharing your traditions and culture with me. Happy Ram Navami!," the prime minister said in a post on X.

Also Read | Instagram Introduces Parental Control Feature: Kids Under 16 Will No Longer Be Allowed to Livestream or Unblur Nudity in Direct Messages Received Without Parental Approval.

The Ram Navami concludes the nine days of Navratri that honour Goddess Durga and her nine divine forms. The final day of Navratri marks the birth of Lord Ram, one of the most revered deities of Hindus.

Carney's visit to the temple comes ahead of the federal elections scheduled for April 28.

Also Read | Tech Layoffs Continue in 2025: Over 27,762 Employees Laid Off by 100 Companies So Far, Automattic, Block, Siemens Join; Check Details.

Cabinet Minister Anita Anand said: "So pleased to welcome @MarkJCarney on his first visit to @baps_toronto to celebrate the birth of Lord Rama. A very Happy Ram Navami!"

The Hindu Canadian Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation working for better coordination among the Hindu Community in Canada, reacted to the minister's post and highlighted the challenges faced by Hindus in the country.

"The past few years have posed significant challenges for the Hindu community, which numbers over a million. Known for abiding by rules and laws, Hindus seamlessly assimilate into the cultures they move to. Despite being among the highest earners and leading successful lives, they maintain a low profile and often refrain from engaging in political decisions. This sometimes leads to under-representation, leaving the community vulnerable," the Hindu Canadian Foundation said on X.

"The recent surge in anti-Hindu sentiment, fuelled by rising separatist groups, has deeply affected every Hindu Canadian. Addressing these pressing issues will be a critical focus for the upcoming government," the organisation said in another post.

BAPS Toronto, a prominent Hindu temple run by BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, was in 2022 defaced by “Canadian Khalistani extremists” here with anti-India graffiti in an apparent hate crime. PTI

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)