Image source: X/@HCI_Ottawa

India has condemned a violent attack on a temple in Brampton, Canada, by a pro-Khalistani mob. The incident, which took place outside the Hindu Sabha Mandir near Toronto, involved anti-Indian elements disrupting a consular event co-hosted with the temple, according to a statement from the Indian consulate.

The consulate expressed its disappointment, noting that Canadian authorities had been informed in advance to ensure security during the event, which is part of routine consular activities.

PRESS RELEASE

“Violent disturbances outside the consular camp in Brampton, Ontario (November 3)”@MEAIndia @IndianDiplomacy @diaspora_india @cgivancouver @IndiainToronto pic.twitter.com/V7QNMmA4eR

– India in Canada (@HCI_Ottawa) November 4, 2024

Videos circulating on social media show a group of men wielding sticks and waving flags associated with pro-Khalistani groups. The mob allegedly attacked worshipers outside the temple, including women and children, according to the Canadian Hindu Foundation.

Chandra Arya, a federal lawmaker from Canada’s ruling Liberal Party, blamed the attack on “Khalistan extremists.” He criticized the rise of extremism in Canada and warned that a “red line” had been crossed. Arya has consistently expressed concerns over rising violence against Hindu-Canadian communities, highlighting a trend toward religious intolerance.

In July, Arya raised the alarm over repeated vandalism of Hindu temples in Canada. He cited incidents of hateful graffiti at various temples, including the BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir in Edmonton. These attacks, he noted, have increasingly targeted Hindu temples in the Greater Toronto Area and other areas in recent years.

The incident adds to ongoing tensions between Khalistan supporters and Canada’s Hindu communities, sparking discussions about security and religious tolerance in the country.