Pro-Khalistani mob attacks devotees at Hindu temple, Trudeau calls incident ‘unacceptable’
The High Commission of India in Ottawa also issued a strong statement on Monday condemning the recent attack on Brampton’s Hindu Sabha temple by “anti-India” elements.
Ottawa: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau the incident where protestors carrying Khalistani flags clashed with people at a Hindu temple in Brampton and said said every Canadian has the right to practise their faith freely and safely. Canadian Broadcasting Corporation on Sunday reported that Peel Regional Police said that a protest occurred at the Hindu Sabha temple in Brampton and unverified videos circulating on social media appeared to show demonstrators holding banners in support of Khalistan.
The videos showed fist fights and people striking each other with poles on what appears to be the grounds surrounding the Hindu Sabha Mandir temple, the report added.
Taking to X, Trudeau thanked the local authorities for the swift response to protect the community and probe this incident.
“The acts of violence at the Hindu Sabha Mandir in Brampton today are unacceptable. Every Canadian has the right to practice their faith freely and safely. Thank you to the Peel Regional Police for swiftly responding to protect the community and investigate this incident,” Trudeau said in a post on X on Monday.
India condemned the attack with an expectation that those indulging in violence “will be prosecuted”.
In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs said that New Delhi remains “deeply concerned” about the safety and security of Indian nationals in Canada.
“We condemn the acts of violence perpetrated by extremists and separatists at the Hindu Sabha Temple in Brampton, Ontario yesterday. We call on the government of Canada to ensure that all places of worship are protected from such attacks,” MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal was quoted as saying in the statement.
“We also expect that those indulging in violence will be prosecuted,” he said.
The High Commission of India in Ottawa also issued a strong statement on Monday condemning the recent attack on Brampton’s Hindu Sabha temple by “anti-India” elements. This incident disrupted a consular event co-organised by the Hindu Sabha Mandir and the Indian consulate.
In its statement, the High Commission remarked, “We have seen violent disruption today (November 3), orchestrated by anti-India elements outside the consular camp co-organised with the Hindu Sabha Mandir in Brampton, near Toronto.”
The statement further added, “We also remain very 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 1000 life certificates to the Indian and Canadian applicants…”