Following skirmishes that were attributed to Sikh activists by some leaders, violence at a Hindu temple near Toronto on Sunday was condemned by Canada’s Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, as “unacceptable.”
According to reports, the Hindu Sabha Mandir was heavily guarded by local police in Brampton, about 50 kilometers northwest of Toronto, during a protest.
AFP was informed by a Peel Regional Police spokesperson that there had been no arrests. Additionally, the police have declined to assign blame for the alleged violence.
The violence that occurred today at the Hindu Sabha Mandir in Brampton is unacceptable. Trudeau wrote on X that “every Canadian has the right to practice their faith freely and safely.” Federal lawmaker Chandra Arya, who is a member of Trudeau’s Liberal Party, blamed the incident on “Khalistanis,” which refers to supporters of the fringe separatist movement for an independent Sikh homeland in India’s Punjab state.
After Ottawa accused the Indian government of planning the murder of prominent Khalistan activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, 45, in Vancouver in 2023, relations between Canada and India have soured.
In addition to Nijjar’s death, Canada has accused India of leading a broad campaign against Sikh activists in Canada that included threats, intimidation, and violence, according to Ottawa.
“The attack by Khalistanis on the Hindu-Canadian devotees inside the premises of the Hindu Sabha temple in Brampton shows how deep and brazen has Khalistani violent extremism has become in Canada,” Hindu Arya wrote on X. “A red line has been crossed by Canadian Khalistani extremists today.”
A video that is circulating on social media appears to show people fighting with a rival group that includes people holding Indian flags and carrying yellow Khalistan flags. The videos show that there were also isolated fist fights.
Trudeau said that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government had broken Canadian sovereignty.
The claims have been rejected by India.
This month, Delhi and Ottawa both kicked out their respective ambassadors and other senior diplomats.
The “acts of violence perpetrated by extremists and separatists” at the Hindu temple were condemned by India’s Ministry of External Affairs on Monday, and the country is “deeply concerned” about their safety in Canada.
In a statement, the ministry said, “We call on the Government of Canada to ensure that all places of worship are protected from such attacks.”
We also anticipate that those engaging in violence will face criminal charges. Indian nationals in Canada’s safety and security remain a major concern to us.
“Intimidation, harassment, and violence will not deter the outreach of our Consular officers to provide services to Indians and Canadian citizens alike,” the statement concluded.
