Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the attack on a Hindu temple in Canada over the weekend and described the disruptions outside an Indian consular camp as an “appalling” attempt to intimidate its diplomats as relations between the two nations ebb.
“Such acts of violence will never weaken India’s resolve,” Modi said in a post on the social platform X. “We expect the Canadian government to ensure justice and uphold the rule of law.”
Violence erupted Sunday when Indian consular officials visited a Hindu temple in Brampton, Ont. Peel Regional Police say that three people have been arrested and charged.
Social media posts on the weekend appeared to show demonstrators holding banners in support of a separate Sikh country called Khalistan clashing with others, including some holding India’s national flag.
“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,” wrote Liberal MP Chandra Arya, who represents an Ottawa riding, on X.
India considers the Khalistani movement terrorism.
The videos seemed to show fist fights and people striking each other with poles in what appeared to be the grounds surrounding the Hindu Sabha Mandir temple.
Police say protesters then relocated to two different places in Mississauga, Ont., and an officer sustained minor injuries during the arrest of a person during the demonstrations.
Police say they’re investigating “several acts of unlawfulness” connected to the protests, and did not immediately provide details about the suspects or charges.
The latest statement comes after months of diplomatic wrangling between the two countries after Canada accused the Indian government of helping orchestrate the killing of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar on Canadian soil. Both countries have since ejected diplomats and recently, a top Canadian official alleged that the Indian Home Minister Amit Shah authorized crimes in their country.
The Sunday violence comes as Hindus celebrate Diwali.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs in a statement Monday said that a temple in Brampton was attacked by “extremists and separatists” and asked the Canadian government to protect all places of worship. “Anti-India elements” orchestrated “violent disruption” outside a consular camp in Brampton on Nov. 3, the Indian High Commission in Ottawa said in a statement posted on X.
The violence was condemned by a number of Canadian politicians, including Ontario Premier Doug Ford, who said the violence was “completely unacceptable and must be condemned,” and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau who said “every Canadian has the right to practice their faith freely and safely.”
Pierre Poilievre, the Conservative leader, vowed to “unite our people and end the chaos.”
“All Canadians should be free to practice their faith in peace. Conservatives condemn this violence unequivocally,” Poilievre wrote on X.
With files from Bloomberg and The Canadian Press
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