India’s prime minister, Narendra Modi, has condemned a “deliberate attack” on a Hindu temple in Canada, blaming Sikh activists for the violent clash at a time of escalating diplomatic tensions between the two countries. Modi’s comments came after violence broke out at a Hindu temple in the Canadian city of Brampton on Sunday, which he has called a “deliberate attack”.
Khalistani Attack On Hindu Temple In Canada
Why In News
- India’s prime minister, Narendra Modi, has condemned a “deliberate attack” on a Hindu temple in Canada, blaming Sikh activists for the violent clash at a time of escalating diplomatic tensions between the two countries. Modi’s comments came after violence broke out at a Hindu temple in the Canadian city of Brampton on Sunday, which he has called a “deliberate attack”.
- “Such acts of violence will never weaken India’s resolve. We expect the Canadian government to ensure justice and uphold the rule of law,” wrote on X.
What’s The Issue
- A Canadian cop was suspended for participating in a pro-Khalistan protest outside a Hindu temple in Brampton.
- The suspended cop, identified as Harinder Sohi, was caught on camera holding a Khalistan flag, while others in the protest chanted anti-India slogans. Sohi was a Sergeant of the Peel Regional Police.
- Thousands of Canadian Hindus marched in solidarity outside the Hindu Sabha temple in Brampton a day after it was attacked by pro-Khalistanis. The march on Monday night was organised by the Coalition of Hindus in North America (CoHNA).
What Actually Happened
- On Sunday, people carrying Khalistani flags clashed with devotees at the Hindu Sabha temple. Unverified videos that have gone viral on social media showed the protesters carrying pro-Khalistan banners and flags.
- So far, the police have arrested three people in connection with the incident.
- The Peel Regional Police said the people were arrested in connection with assault with a weapon and assaulting a police officer. Earlier, a Hindu temple in Windsor suffered defacement with anti-India graffiti.
- Earlier incidents in Mississauga and Brampton saw temples similarly targeted, drawing strong reactions from the Indian community in Canada. Last year in December, gunshots were fired at the residence of the son of Satish Kumar, the president of Lakshmi Narayan Mandir in Surrey.
- The Khalistani attack on the Hindu temple in Brampton is seen as an attack on a consular camp Indian diplomats had held in collaboration with the temple to provide consular services to senior citizens. Such camps have been routinely held by the Indian High Commission in temples and gurdwaras.
- Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the Khalistani terrorist belonging to the organisation, Sikhs for Justice, who is a dual citizen of the US and Canada, had warned Hindus against celebrating Diwali, threatening disruptions at temples.
- Pannun, who is patronised by both the American and Canadian governments, had recently said that he had been working in close association with Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau for past few years. Pannun had earlier warned of attacks on Indian airlines too.
- India’s foreign ministry said “extremists and separatists” were behind the violence, calling on the Canadian government to “ensure that all places of worship are protected from such attacks”.
- The North America-based activist group Sikhs for Justice, meanwhile, described the incident as an “unprovoked violent attack on peaceful pro-Khalistan demonstrators”. Justin Trudeau wrote on X that Sunday’s violence was “unacceptable”, adding that “every Canadian has the right to practice their faith freely and safely”.
Reactions
- Bilateral relations nosedived in September 2023 when Trudeau claimed that Canadian security agencies had credible allegations linking Indian government agents to the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
- New Delhi has labelled the Khalistani sympathiser a terrorist, linking him to various violent activities, including a 2007 movie theatre bombing in Punjab and the 2009 murder of Sikh politician Rulda Singh.
- But Canada refused to take action against him and also failed to curtail other pro-Khalistan elements, who have continued to organise so-called Khalistan referendums.
- The controversy took a new turn last month when Canadian authorities identified the Indian High Commissioner and other diplomats as “persons of interest” in an investigation, most likely linked to Nijjar’s murder.
- India termed the allegations as “preposterous” and attributed them to the political agenda of Trudeau’s government, driven by vote bank politics. India recalled its High Commissioner and many other diplomats and officials from Canada, stating that Canadian actions endangered their safe .
