Toronto: A protest by pro-Khalistan radicals turned violent Sunday afternoon when they stormed into a Hindu temple in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) and assaulted some worshipers.

The incident took place at the Hindu Sabha Mandir in the city of Brampton, Ontario, where pro-Khalistan protesters gathered outside the premises in the morning to object to the presence of Indian officials there. found for a planned consular camp.

Protesters, some waving Khalistan flags, then became violent. According to eyewitnesses who spoke to Hindustan Times and videos of the scuffle, they attacked some devotees inside the premises with flagpoles and traffic cones.

In a statement, the Indian High Commission in Ottawa said the “violent disturbances” had been “orchestrated by anti-Indian elements”. Terming the development as “deeply worrying”, the statement added: “We also remain gravely concerned about the safety of candidates, including Indian nationals, at whose request such events are being organized in the first place.” »

Among those at the temple was Mahavir, who said: “They attacked our people, they were violent. » He said the news quickly spread in the community and they rushed to the temple and helped evict the intruding Khalistanis. “We were afraid that they wanted to destroy the statue of Hanuman. We believe that was the target,” Mahavir said.

The temple houses a 55-foot-tall statue of Hanuman, installed last year.

Another worshiper, who wished to remain anonymous out of fear for his personal safety, said those who joined them came armed and helped repel the intruders who desecrated the temple. “We had to defend ourselves since the police could not control them,” he said. This led to injuries.

After a large crowd of worshipers gathered, outnumbering the pro-Khalistani elements, the latter dispersed later in the afternoon. The community gathered at the spot and chanted slogans including “Khalistan Murdabad”.

The attack drew condemnation from all political sides, including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre, Minister Anita Anand, Ontario Premier Doug Ford, as well as several MPs and other politicians. However, none of their messages name the perpetrators of the attacks, the pro-Khalistan elements. That was left to Indo-Canadian Liberal Party MP Chandra Arya, who said: “A red line was crossed by Canadian Khalistani extremists today. The Khalistani attack on Hindu-Canadian worshipers inside the Hindu Sabha temple premises in Brampton shows how deep and brazen Khalistani violent extremism has become in Canada.

Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown said he would bring a motion to city council “that would consider banning protests in places of worship.”

The attack came two days after a Diwali message from Trudeau that his government would “ensure” the “safety and security” of Hindu Canadians. His message on Sunday failed to mention the Khalistan attackers, calling the “act of violence” committed at the temple “unacceptable.”

Poilievre posted a similar message, saying the “violence targeting worshipers” was “totally unacceptable.”

Meanwhile, responding to queries from Hindustan Times, the Peel Regional Police (PRP) said, “No arrests have been made, but any acts of violence and threats will be investigated.” »

PRP leader Nishan Duraiappah said: “We respect the right to protest peacefully and safely, but we will not tolerate violence or criminal acts. Those who participate in this activity will be pursued, arrested and charged. »

Anger and outrage were evident within the community over the violence targeting a Hindu place of worship. The Canadian Hindu Chamber of Commerce said in a statement: “Videos of the incident are going viral, further fueling community concerns about rising Hinduphobia. »

The Canadian chapter of the Coalition of Hindus of North America (COHNA) said it “vehemently condemns this brazen attack by Khalistanis on Hindu-Canadian worshipers.”

“This reveals how deep and unchecked Khalistani extremism is in Canada,” he adds.

The Ontario Sikh and Gurdwara Council (OSGC) also condemned the violence at the temple. “The incident outside the temple is a painful reminder of the need for understanding and mutual respect within our community,” the text underlines, adding: “We call on local authorities to fully investigate this incident , reaffirming that violence has no place in our society. »

The Center for Jewish and Israel Affairs said it was “dismayed by the attack carried out earlier today by extremists against Hindu worshipers.”

The Indian High Commission in Ottawa said that despite attempts to disrupt it, more than 1,000 life certificates had been issued. However, he adds, future camps of this type “will depend on the security arrangements made for them by local authorities”. Where this is “unfeasible”, alternative arrangements would be made “which could, unfortunately, inconvenience local users of these services”, he adds. He noted: “Due to the prevailing situation in Canada, Canadian authorities were requested well in advance to take strict security measures for these events, which constitute routine consular work. »

The secessionist group Sikhs for Justice blamed the violence on Indo-Canadians at the temple. He said the pro-Khalistan group was “peacefully protesting” against the presence of officials from the Indian consulate in Toronto at the temple. SFJ general counsel Gurpatwant Pannun claimed they were attacked because of the presence of Inderjit Singh Gosal, Canadian coordinator of the so-called Khalistan referendum.

Meanwhile, similar protests were also seen outside the Lakshmi Narayan Mandir in Surrey, British Columbia, which also hosted a consular camp.

Temple management and worshipers were furious when Surrey police arrested three members of the congregation who were participating in a counter-protest. Members of the leadership as well as the faithful then organized a demonstration in front of the police headquarters to demand the release of the three people. They were released on conditions by the police. Temple president Satish Kumar said he would not allow police to enter the mandir premises in future.