Pro-Khalistan extremists allegedly attacked devotees, including women and children, at a Hindu Sabha temple in Brampton, Canada, on November 3. A video circulating on social media shows the mob barging into the temple premises and wielding sticks at the devotees, prompting the police to deploy personnel. This comes amid tensions between India and Canada after Ottawa blamed Indian officials for conspiring the alleged murder of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Surrey in June 2023.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has criticised the "cowardly attempts to intimidate our diplomats" in a deepening diplomatic row with Canada.
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.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 4, 2024
Canada Reacts To Attack
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who has reportedly sided with pro-Khalistanis so far, condemned the recent attack and deemed it "unacceptable" and wrote on X, "Every Canadian has the right to practice their faith freely and safely." He also said that the police were investigating the incident.
The acts of violence at the Hindu Sabha Mandir in Brampton today are unacceptable. Every Canadian has the right to practice their faith freely and safely.
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) November 3, 2024
Thank you to the Peel Regional Police for swiftly responding to protect the community and investigate this incident.
Trudeau's aide, Jagmeet Singh, a Sikh Member of Parliament, also criticised the attackers and called for peace between the communities. "I unequivocally condemn the acts of violence at the Hindu Sabha Mandir. Violence anywhere is wrong. I join community leaders in calling for peace," he wrote on X.
Every Canadian must be free to visit their place of worship in peace.
— Jagmeet Singh (@theJagmeetSingh) November 3, 2024
I unequivocally condemn the acts of violence at the Hindu Sabha Mandir.
Violence anywhere is wrong. I join community leaders in calling for peace.
Canadian MP Chandra Arya, who has often expressed concern about the alleged threat by Khalistani radicals on Hindu Canadians, expressed that they had "crossed a red line". He asserted that the attack shows "how deep and brazen Khalistani violent extremism has become in Canada."
A red line has been crossed by Canadian Khalistani extremists today.
— Chandra Arya (@AryaCanada) November 3, 2024
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.
I begin to feel… pic.twitter.com/vPDdk9oble
We strongly condemn the violent attack on Brampton's Hindu Sabha Temple by Khalistani extremists. This unprovoked assault threatens not only Hindu-Canadian devotees but the very fabric of Canada’s social harmony. Hindus and Sikhs share a deep bond rooted in shared culture and… pic.twitter.com/WLHoQzRcWq
— Hindu Sikh Forum Canada (@HinduSikhCanada) November 4, 2024
The Hindu Sikh Unity Forum Canada responded with a statement. "Hindus and Sikhs share a deep bond rooted in shared culture and respect—ties that divisive actors and self-serving politicians are trying to unravel for their own gain. We urge all Canadians to reject these toxic influences," they wrote.
#Surrey
— Sameer Kaushal 🇨🇦❤🇮🇳 (@itssamonline) November 4, 2024
The new police force, which boasts of its community policing model, today arrested a teenager from the Lakshmi Narayan #Hindu Mandir premises in this manner. @surreyps @SurreyRCMP @Dave_Eby @JohnRustad4BC @SoniaFurstenau pic.twitter.com/pIsfEcwDki
A similar riot-like incident had also recently occurred in Surrey, where many police officers allegedly used force to detain Hindu demonstrators including young teens at Laksminarayan Mandir. Videos circulating online show Royal Canadian Mounted Police officers kneeling on, shoving, and beating some people.