 "Activists and supporters of the Hindu Sikh Global Forum hold placards as they take part in a protest near the Canadian embassy in New Delhi on November 10, 2024, against the recent attack on a Hindu temple in the city of Brampton, near Toronto in Canada. Source: AFP.")
Tensions and fear have escalated in Canada’s Brampton, after a pro-Khalistani mob held a demonstration and attacked devotees, including women and children, outside a temple on November 3. Amid this, the Brampton Triveni Mandir and Community Centre cancelled its planned life certificate event, citing concerns over a likely “extremely high and imminent threat level of violent protests".
The Brampton Triveni Mandir, in an open letter, gave a detailed reason for the cancellation of the event which was scheduled for November 17 and many Hindu community members were depending on it.
In a statement, the Brampton Triveni Mandir said that the event has been cancelled due to official intelligence from Peel Regional Police, stating that there is an “Extremely High and Imminent Threat Level of violent protests.”
Canada Police warns Brampton temple of threat after Pannun new dates of attacks
Organised by the Indian Consulate, the Brampton Triveni Mandir was scheduled to hold life certificate event on November 17 which has now been cancelled after Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) founder Gurpatwant Singh Pannun
announced new dates of temple attacks in Canada.
Pannun said that SFJ would target Indian diplomats at Hindu temples on November 16-17.
“We will shake the foundations of Ayodhya… the Canadian PM, RCMP have acknowledged that Indian diplomats spy on Canadian Sikhs and are responsible for the assassination of Shaheed Nijjar… NEXT Challenge to Indian Terrorist diplomats will be: 16 November At Kalibari Mandir, Mississauga and 17 November, Triveni Mandir, Brampton [sic],” he said.
‘Extremely high & imminent threat level of violent protests’
Detailing the reason for the cancellation of the event, the Brampton Triveni Mandir, in a statement, released on Monday, said: “Please be advised that the Life Certificate Event scheduled at Brampton Triveni Mandir by the Indian Consulate on November 17, 2024, has been cancelled. This is due to official intelligence from Peel Regional Police, stating that there is an Extremely High and Imminent Threat Level of violent protests.”
“On the advice of Police Chief Nishan Duraiappah, we must make the appropriate decision to cancel to ensure the safety of Brampton Triveni Mandir devotees, community visitors, and the general public. We apologise to all community members who were depending on the event,” the statement said.
Impact Shorts
More Shorts‘Canadians now feel unsafe coming to Hindu temples in Canada’
The Brampton Triveni Mandir also apologised to all community members who were depending on the event which has now been cancelled.
“We are deeply saddened that Canadians now feel unsafe coming to Hindu Temples in Canada,” the statement highlighted.
It also called for immediate measures to ensure their safety and security, saying: “We call on Peel Police to address the threats being circulated against Brampton Triveni Mandir and provide security guarantees to the Canadian Hindu Community and the general public.”
The consular camp would have offered Indian-origin Hindus and Sikhs a chance to renew essential life certificates, which is a requirement for various official purposes.
‘Indian Consular life certificate camps are death certificate camps’
Pannun recently called the cancellation of events at temples “a victory for Pro Khalistan Sikhs because Indian Consular Camps are not life certificate camps but death certificate camps."
Pannun even suggested Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to “permanently close Indian consulates in Toronto and Vancouver.”
The Brampton Triveni Mandir serves as a community hub for Hindus and like-minded individuals, hosting gatherings for worship, religious discourses, and community service activities.
However, in recent weeks, the temple has faced increased tensions after incidents at nearby locations.
On November 3, an Indian consular camp at the Hindu Sabha Temple in Brampton was violently disrupted by pro-Khalistani supporters, sparking widespread condemnation both in Canada and internationally.
Viral videos of the incident showed fist fights and people striking each other with flag poles on what appears to be the grounds surrounding the temple.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi strongly denounced the “deliberate attack” on the Hindu temple, calling the “cowardly attempts to intimidate” Indian diplomats unacceptable.
PM Modi also urged Canadian authorities to take swift action to ensure justice and uphold the rule of law.
“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,” the Prime Minister said in a post on X.
Also Read: ‘Strongly condemn deliberate act’: PM Modi calls for justice after Canada Hindu temple attack
The incident was condemned by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau who said every Canadian has the right to practise their faith freely and safely.
After the incident, the Consulate General of India in Toronto announced the cancellation of several scheduled consular camps across Canada after local security agencies indicated that they were unable to guarantee the required safety measures for these community events.
Also Read: India cancels consular camps in Toronto after Canada refuses to provide security
With inputs from agencies.