Bula Devi reports from New Delhi
New Delhi Nov 4:- India on Monday strongly condemned the acts of “violence perpetrated by extremists and separatists” on November 3 at the Hindu Sabha Temple in Brampton, a city in the Canadian province of Ontario, and called upon the Trudeau government to “ensure” that all places of worship are properly protected from such attacks, and expected that those involved in the violence would be prosecuted.
“We condemn the acts of violence perpetrated by extremists and separatists at the Hindu Sabha Temple in Brampton, Ontario.
We call on the Government of Canada to ensure that all places of worship are protected from such attacks.
“We also expect that those indulging in violence will be prosecuted,” said Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal in response to media queries on the incident today, while expressing India’s deep concern. “We remain deeply concerned about the safety and security of Indian nationals in Canada,” he added.
Videos on social media showed a group of allegedly Khalistani extremists, who were carrying Khalistan flags and sticks, attacked and clashed with people who came to Brampton’s Hindu Sabha Temple on Sunday. Some videos also showed protesters having fistfights.
The ugly eruption of violence prompted the High Commission of India in Ottawa to issue a strongly worded statement while condemning the attack by “anti-India” elements.
According to ANI, the Indian High Commission in Ottawa issued a press release stating, “…We have seen violent disruption today (Nov 3) orchestrated by anti-India elements outside the consular camp co-organised with the Hindu Sabha Mandir, Brampton, near Toronto.
“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.
“Despite these efforts by anti-India elements, our Consulate was able to issue more than 1000 life certificates to the Indian and Canadian applicants…,” the release said.
Determined to go ahead with its duties and responsibilities towards Indian and Canadian citizens, the MEA said: “the outreach of our Consular officers to provide services to Indians and Canadian citizens alike will not be deterred by intimidation, harassment and violence”.
On November 2, in response to a query on statements by Canadian government officials targeting a senior Indian cabinet minister (Amit Shah), the spokesperson said that MEA had summoned the representative of the Canadian High Commission on November 1.
“A diplomatic note was handed over in reference to the proceedings of the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security in Ottawa on October 29. It was conveyed in the Note that the Government of India protests in the strongest terms to the absurd and baseless references made to the Union Home Minister of India before the Committee by Deputy Minister David Morrison.
“In fact, the revelation that Canadian officials deliberately leaked unfounded insinuations to the international media as part of a conscious strategy to discredit India and influence other nations only confirms the view Government of India has long held about the current Canadian government’s political agenda and behavioral pattern. Such irresponsible actions will have serious consequences for bilateral ties,” Jaiswal pointed out while reiterating India’s stand.
To another question at a press briefing, he emphasised on India’s “core concern”. The spokesperson said, “…for long, we have been making our point very clear, our views very clear about extremism and the culture of violence and anti-India activities in Canada. This is our core concern with the Canadian government and we hope that they will take action against these activities. That is how we look at it.”
Trudeau reaction: Upholding the right to practice religion “freely and safely”, Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Monday called the violence at a Hindu temple near Toronto “unacceptable”, report sources.
