India has demanded action from the Canadian government following an attack on a Hindu temple in Brampton, Ontario, allegedly carried out by pro-Khalistani supporters. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday stated that India expects Canada to hold the perpetrators accountable and ensure justice.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, during a press conference, asserted, “We condemn the attack on the temple in Brampton, and we have called upon the Canadian government to hold rule of law and to bring to justice the people who purported the violence. We hope that the Canadian government will take due action.”
Adding to the growing tension, the Indian Consulate in Toronto announced the cancellation of several scheduled consular camps due to a lack of security assurance from Canadian authorities. The Consulate, in a statement on X (formerly Twitter), cited the inability of security agencies to provide adequate protection for camp organizers as the reason for cancellation.
Jaiswal explained the significance of the consular camps, saying, “You would have seen the message posted by our consulate in Toronto that they have had to cancel the consular camp that they were planning to organise over the weekend because they did not get adequate security or security assurance from the government. We have a large diaspora in Canada. Many of these people, especially around the month of November, December, they need several documentation for continuation of their pensions and several other activities here in India.”
He further emphasized that the consular camps, conducted at the request of community organizations, are a valuable service for both Indian nationals and people of Indian origin residing in Canada. While some camps in Vancouver will continue, the decision to cancel in Toronto highlights the security concerns raised by the recent events.
This incident comes on the heels of violence disruptions orchestrated by anti-India extremist groups at a previous consular camp co-organized by the Indian consulate outside the Hindi Sabha Temple in Brampton.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi strongly condemned the attack on the temple and the attempts to intimidate Indian diplomats. In a statement on X, PM Modi stated, “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 government to ensure justice and uphold the rule of law.”
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, addressing the House of Commons on Wednesday, condemned those responsible for inciting violence and stressed that the Sikh and Hindu communities in Canada should not be blamed for these actions. “The violence we have seen in South Asian communities across the country over the past few nights, let me be very clear. The individuals who are inciting violence and division and hatred in no way represent either the Sikh community or the Hindu community in Canada,” Trudeau stated.
The incident has raised serious concerns about the security of Indian diplomats and the safety of the Indian community in Canada. India’s call for action from the Canadian government is likely to further escalate tensions between the two countries.
