The Indian High Commission in Canada has condemned the “violent disruption” by anti-India elements at the Hindu Sabha Temple in Brampton, near Toronto. The clashes erupted on Sunday outside a consular camp organized in collaboration with the Hindu Sabha Mandir.
In an official statement, the High Commission expressed concern over the incident and said that future events would only be organized if adequate security measures are ensured by local authorities. “We have seen violent disruption today (Nov 3) orchestrated by anti-India elements outside the consular camp co-organized with the Hindu Sabha Mandir, Brampton, near Toronto,” the statement read.
The High Commission also highlighted similar disruptions during consular camps held in Vancouver and Surrey on Saturday and Sunday.
“It is deeply disappointing to see such disruptions being allowed at routine consular work being organised by our consulate with the fullest cooperation of the local co-organizers. We also remain very concerned for the safety of applicants, including Indian nationals, on whose demand such events are organized in the first place,” the statement added.
Despite the disturbance, the High Commission confirmed that over 1,000 life certificates were successfully issued to Indian and Canadian applicants.
The Hindu Canadian Foundation, a non-profit organization supporting the Hindu community in Canada, posted a video of the incident on X (formerly Twitter), alleging that Khalistani supporters attacked women and children at the temple. “Hindu Sabha Temple is under attack by #KhalistaniTerrorists #khalistan. Kids, Women and Men are being attacked. This is all happening under the support of Khalistaani politician sympathizers,” the post claimed.
The incident has sparked widespread outrage both in Canada and abroad.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau condemned the attack, reaffirming the importance of religious freedom. “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,” he wrote in a post on X, thanking the Peel Regional Police for their swift response.
Opposition leader Pierre Poilievre also denounced the violence, calling it “completely unacceptable.”
Member of Parliament Chandra Arya described the incident as a dangerous escalation, stating that a “red line has been crossed” by Khalistani extremists.
Toronto MP Kevin Vuong expressed concerns that “Canada has become a safe harbor for radicals,” criticizing the country’s leaders for failing to protect Hindus, as well as Christians and Jewish Canadians, from extremist violence.
(With ANI input)