AMRITSAR: An attack by Khalistani activists on Hindus who had gathered at Hindu Sabha Mandir in Brampton, Canada, Sunday for a meeting with Indian high commission officials drew widespread condemnation besides leading to a huge protest outside Guru Singh Sabha Gurdwara in neighbouring Malton.
Brampton mayor Patrick Brown said a cop was injured Sunday. “Both sides need to de-escalate. This is yet another example of why I want to see a municipal bylaw urgently passed to prohibit protests at places of worship. The pro-India and pro-Khalistan sides who think it is appropriate to protest at a place of worship are completely wrong. This must stop,” he posted.
A group of pro-Khalistani activists, according to information provided by sources, had gathered near the Indian consular camp in the temple. “As news spread about the gathering of Sikh activists, a group of youth from Haryana arrived for a counter-protest,” sources added. There were suggestions that the first push came from a Haryana native, provoking a reaction from the Sikh anti-India activists, which led many to seek refuge inside the temple.
It was also being claimed that there was no attack on the temple, but only a protest against Indian officials. Sources said on Sunday afternoon, a group of Indians held a rally at Westwood Mall & on the same night, protests were held at the Malton gurdwara.
Indian high commission said that on account of the prevailing security situation in the country, Canadian authorities had been requested well in advance to provide strong security measures for its event, which constitutes routine consular work. There were also attempts to disrupt similar camps in Vancouver and Surrey on November 2-3, the high commission added.
Distancing itself from the trouble-makers, Ontario Sikhs and Gurdwara Council condemned the violence and said, “Violence and intimidation have no place in our community, where peace, unity and mutual respect are values we hold near and dear.”
Toronto MP Kevin Vuong said Canadian leaders had failed to protect Hindus just like they had failed to safeguard Christians and Jewish Canadians. “Alarming to see attack on Hindu Canadians. From Khalistani extremists to terrorist cosplayers, Canada has become a safe harbour for radicals,” he posted on X.