India-Canada row: A violent incident at the Hindu Sabha temple in Brampton, Ontario, has further strained diplomatic relations between India and Canada, with both nations’ leaders responding to the altercation.
Temple attack in Brampton increases India-Canada row
The clash, which occurred on Monday, involved protesters carrying Khalistani flags confronting people at the temple premises. Social media footage showed physical altercations, including individuals fighting with flagpoles near the temple grounds.
Peel Regional Police intervened and arrested three individuals on charges of assault with a weapon and assaulting a police officer.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau condemned the violence through a statement on X: “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.”
S Jaishankar slams Canada for this attack
India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar criticized Canada’s broader approach to bilateral issues, stating that Canada has “developed a pattern of making allegations without providing specifics.” He expressed deep concern about the temple attack and called Canada’s alleged surveillance of Indian diplomats “unacceptable.”
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs, through spokesperson Randir Jaiswal, urged Canadian authorities to enhance protection for places of worship. “We call on the Government 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 stated.
This incident occurs amid heightened tensions between the two nations, following Trudeau’s September 2023 allegation about potential Indian involvement in Khalistani activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar’s death, a claim India has firmly denied.
PM Modi also speaks up
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also weighed in, condemning what he described as “cowardly attempts” to intimidate Indian diplomats.
The temple attack and its aftermath highlight the ongoing diplomatic challenges between India and Canada, particularly regarding the treatment of religious institutions and the broader context of Khalistani activism in Canada.
