NEW DELHI: India condemned violence by proKhalistan separatists at a Hindu temple, and their efforts to disrupt Indian consular activities, in Brampton, Canada, with PM Modi taking to X to assert that the country’s resolve would not be weakened by such acts and sought action against the perpetrators.
“I strongly condemn the deliberate attack on a Hindu temple in Canada. Equally appalling are the cowardly attempts to intimidate our diplomats. Such acts of violence will never weaken India’s resolve. We expect the Canadian govt to ensure justice and uphold the rule of law,” Modi said hours after the foreign ministry condemned the incident that took place on Sunday. The ministry said New Delhi remained deeply concerned about the safety and security of Indian nationals in Canada and asked the Canadian authorities to ensure that all places of worship are protected from such attacks. New Delhi has repeatedly stated in the middle of its ongoing diplomatic spat with Ottawa that its main concern with Canada remains the space given by local authorities to pro-Khalistan separatists, allowing them to target Indian interests.
On this occasion, Canadian PM Justin Trudeau, who has been accused of being sympathetic to the Khalistan cause due to votebank considerations, said on X, “The acts of violence at the Hindu Sabha Mandir in Brampton today are unacceptable. Every Canadian has the right to practise their faith freely and safely. Thank you to Peel Regional Police for swiftly responding to protect the community and investigate this incident.”
Canadian authorities had been intimated about the consular camp being organised in collaboration with the temple for the benefit of local life certificate beneficiaries.
Video clips of Sunday’s assault purportedly showed pro-Khalistan demonstrators attacking a crowd of devotees in Hindu Sabha Mandir. One video purportedly showed police pinning down a Hindu youth and handcuffing him, drawing comparisons by commentators with the George Floyd incident in America and leading Canadian MP Chandra Arya to say that his suspicions about Khalistanis infiltrating Canadian law enforcement have been strengthened.
Arya said the incident represented a “red line” crossed by Khalistani activists against Hindu devotees. He also referred to the aggressive conduct of Brampton police towards Hindus protesting against the attack.
PM Modi’s statement is the second instance in recent months that he has taken up the issue of reported attacks on Hindus outside India. In August this year, he raised with Muhammad Yunus, chief adviser of Bangladesh, the alleged targeting of Hindus and other minorities post the regime change in the neighbouring country.
In an official statement, the Indian govt said the outreach of Indian consular officers to provide services to Indians and Canadian citizens alike would not be deterred by intimidation, harassment and violence.
“We condemn the acts of violence perpetrated by extremists and separatists at the Hindu Sabha temple in Brampton city in Ontario, yesterday,” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said.
“We call on the govt of Canada to ensure that all places of worship are protected from such attacks. We also expect that those indulging in violence will be prosecuted,” Jaiswal said.
On Sunday, Peel Regional Police said a protest occurred at the Hindu Sabha Mandir in Brampton and unverified videos circulating on social media appeared to show demonstrators holding banners in support of Khalistan, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation reported.
The Indian high commission said it was disappointed to see such disruptions being allowed for routine consular work being organised with the fullest cooperation of local co-organisers.
“We remain concerned for the safety of applicants, including Indian nationals, on whose demand such events are organised in the first place. Despite these efforts by anti-India elements, our consulate was able to issue more than 1,000 life certificates to Indian and Canadian applicants,” it added.