 "India 'deeply disappointed' with Canada after attack at Hindu Sabha Mandir camp in Brampton")
India has expressed “deep disappointment” over the incident of violence on Canadian-Hindus outside the Hindu Sabha Mandir in Brampton which was “orchestrated by anti-India elements” and expressed concerns over the safety of Indian nationals in Canada.
On Sunday afternoon, a group of men, carrying Khalistani flags, attacked and beaten Hindu devotees, including women and children, with sticks outside the Hindu Sabha Mandir in Brampton, Ontario.
The pro-Khalistani protesters gathered outside the Hindu Sabha Mandir on Sunday morning to oppose the presence of Indian officials who were present there for a consular camp.
A report by Hindustan Times quoted eyewitnesses as saying that they were attacked by Khalistani supporters who congregated inside the premises with flagpoles and traffic cones.
The video of the incident soon went viral on several social media platforms.
‘Deeply disappointed by violent disruption orchestrated by anti-India elements’
Soon after the incident, the Indian High Commission in Ottawa said that on Sunday, a “violent disruption was orchestrated by anti-India elements outside the consular camp co-organised with the Hindu Sabha Mandir, Brampton, near Toronto.”
It further said that, just like previous years, the High Commission of India in Ottawa and Consulates General of India in Vancouver and Toronto have organised/plan consular camps during this period, for the benefit and ease of local life certificate beneficiaries (Canadian and Indian).
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More Shorts“On account of the prevailing security situation in Canada, the Canadian authorities had been requested well in advance to provide strong security measures for these events, which constitute routine consular work,” the Indian High Commission said.
“It is deeply disappointing to see such disruptions being allowed for routine consular work being organised by our Consulates with the fullest cooperation of local co-organisers. We also remain very concerned for the safety of applicants, including Indian nationals, on whose demand such events are organised in the first place,” the High Commission further said.
“There were also attempts to disrupt similar camps held in Vancouver and Surrey on November 2 and 3,” the High Commission informed.
Khalistanis wanted to destroy idol inside temple
The Hindustan Times report quoted a person named Mahavir as revealing that the Khalistanis “wanted to destroy the Hanuman statue. We believe that was the target.”
The temple has a 55-foot-high statue of Hanuman, which was installed last year.
“They were violent.They attacked our people,” he said, adding that word quickly spread through the community and they rushed to the temple and helped evict the trespassing Khalistanis.
Canadian leaders condemn attack on Hindus
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said that acts of violence are “unacceptable” and “every Canadian has the right to practice their faith freely and safely.”
Canadian MP of Indian origin, Chandra Arya, also condemned the attack and said that Khalistani extremists had “crossed a red line”.
“A red line has been crossed by Canadian Khalistani extremists today. The attack by Khalistanis on the Hindu-Canadian devotees inside the premises of the Hindu Sabha temple in Brampton shows how deep and brazen has Khalistani violent extremism has become in Canada,” he said.
“I begin to feel that there is a small grain of truth in the reports that in addition to Canadian political apparatus, Khalistanis have effectively infiltrated into our law enforcement agencies. No wonder that under the ‘freedom of expression’ Khalistani extremists are getting a free pass in Canada,” Chandra Arya added.
Brampton Mayor, Patrick Brown expressed disappointment over hearing about the “acts of violence” outside the Hindu temple and demanded that those found guilty should be punished to the greatest extent of the law.
“Religious freedom is a foundational value in Canada. Everyone should feel safe in their place of worship. I strongly condemn any acts of violence outside a place of worship,” Brown said in a post on X.
Canadian opposition leader Pierre Poilievre said that the attack on the Hindu Sabha temple was “completely unacceptable”, and that the Conservatives condemn the violence as he promised to unite the people and end the chaos.
“Completely unacceptable to see violence targeting worshippers at the Hindu Sabha Mandir in Brampton today. All Canadians should be free to practice their faith in peace. Conservatives condemn this violence unequivocally. I will unite our people and end the chaos,” he said in a post on X.
With inputs from agencies.
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