New Delhi:
India on Monday mentioned it “condemns acts of violence perpetrated by extremists and separatists”, referring to an incident at a Hindu temple in Brampton, within the Canadian province of Ontario, final week, and referred to as on Canada to make sure that all locations of worship are adequately protected.
“We additionally anticipate that these indulging in such violence will likely be prosecuted,” Exterior Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal advised reporters Monday at a press briefing.
The Indian authorities, Mr Jaiswal, mentioned, stays “deeply involved” concerning the security and safety of its residents in that nation, and mentioned efforts to supply consular providers to Indian and Canadian residents – a camp was being held contained in the temple – “is not going to be deterred”.
Earlier the Indian Excessive Fee mentioned the “violent disruption” to the consular camp got here regardless of an advance request for robust safety measures. The consulate additionally mentioned it feared for the security of candidates on the camp, together with Indian nationals.
The violence at Brampton’s Hindu Sabha temple – blamed by Indo-Canadian MP Chandra Arya on Khalistani extremists – noticed as but unidentified males breaching the gates of the complicated and assaulting individuals inside. Mr Arya mentioned a “crimson line” had been crossed and that the assault on devotees “exhibits how deep and brazen Khalistani violent extremism has turn into in Canada”.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau – whose relationship with India is within the doldrums following repeated, and unsubstantiated, allegations about “brokers” of Delhi being concerned with organised prison components in his nation and the killing of Khalistani chief Hardeep Nijjar – has additionally condemned the violence at Brampton, calling it “unacceptable”.
Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown, in the meantime, referred to as for punishment to the “biggest extent of legislation” for many who participated within the violence. “Non secular freedom is a foundational worth in Canada. Everybody ought to really feel protected of their place of worship,” he wrote on X.
A spokesperson for native police has mentioned no arrests have been made, as but.
The violence comes amid ongoing diplomatic back-and-forth between India and Canada, together with expulsion of diplomats. On Saturday, Ottawa named Delhi as a cyberthreat adversary, suggesting state-sponsored actors may very well be spying in opposition to it.
All of this comes after Canada accused India of orchestrating the 2023 killing, in Vancouver, of 45-year-old naturalised Canadian citizen Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a distinguished Khalistan activist. It has additionally accused India of directing a broad marketing campaign concentrating on Sikh activists on Canadian soil, which Ottawa says has included intimidation, threats and violence.
Final 12 months, a Hindu temple in Windsor suffered defacement with anti-India graffiti, sparking widespread condemnation and requires motion from each Canadian and Indian officers. Earlier incidents in Mississauga and Brampton noticed temples equally focused, drawing robust reactions from the Indian group in Canada.