The recent attack on the Hindu Sabha temple in Canada’s Brampton, near Toronto, by pro-Khalistanis was “deeply worrying”, said External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar.

The attack on the Hindu temple occurred amid growing diplomatic conflict between India and Canada.

“Deeply concerning”

“What happened yesterday (October 3) at a Hindu temple in Canada was obviously deeply concerning,” said Jaishankar, on an official visit to Australia.

Videos of violence filmed outside the Hindu Sabha temple in Brampton showed protesters waving Khalistan flags throwing punches at others, including women and children, and hitting some with flagpoles.

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Video | At a temple in Canada, Hindus, including women and children, were beaten by Khalistanis; lawmakers say ‘completely unacceptable’

“Allegations without providing details”

Lashing out at Canada, Jaishankar said the country had developed a tendency to level allegations against India without providing details or evidence.

“Canada has developed a habit of making allegations without providing details,” Jaishankar said after concluding the 15th India-Australia Foreign Ministers’ Framework Dialogue with Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong in Canberra.

“Political space given to extremists in Canada”

Jaishankar further hinted that diplomatic relations between India and Canada had reached a new low due to violent separatist activities.

“The current political space is given to extremist forces,” he stressed.

“We believe in freedom. We also believe that freedom should not be misused,” the minister said.

Indian diplomats placed under surveillance by Canada are “unacceptable”

Jaishankar also said it was “unacceptable” that Indian diplomats were placed under surveillance by Canada.

“When we look at Canada, for us the fact that they are putting diplomats under surveillance is something unacceptable,” Jaishankar said.

#Exclusive – Political space is granted to extremist forces in Canada, I spoke about it with #Australiasaid #Indian Minister of Foreign Affairs, @DrSJaishankar in a joint press conference with the Minister of Foreign Affairs @SenatorWong in Canberra.@EthnicLinkGuru @DrAmitSarwal @Pallavi_Aus @dfat… pic.twitter.com/RXwl6Tq0FV

– Australia Today (@TheAusToday) November 5, 2024

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday strongly condemned the “deliberate attack on a Hindu temple in Canada” and also criticized “cowardly attempts” to intimidate Indian diplomats in that country.

“Such acts of violence never weaken India’s resolve. We expect the Canadian government to guarantee justice and uphold the rule of law,” the Prime Minister said in a message on X.

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‘Strongly condemn the deliberate act’: PM Modi calls for justice after Hindu temple attack in Canada

Moments before Prime Minister Modi’s sentencing, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MEA) said the Indian government “condemns acts of violence carried out by extremists and separatists”, and called on its Canadian counterpart to ensure that all places of worship are properly protected.

“We condemn the acts of violence carried out yesterday 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,” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said:

“We also hope that those who engage in violence will be prosecuted. We remain deeply concerned about the safety and security of Indian nationals in Canada. The efforts of our consular officers to provide services to Indians and Canadian citizens will not be deterred by intimidation, harassment and violence,” Jaiswal added.

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India condemns violence at Hindu temple in Canada’s Brampton, calls for protection of places of worship

Earlier on Monday, the Indian High Commission in Ottawa said the “violent disruption” of the consular camp occurred despite a prior request for strict security measures and that it feared for the safety of Indian citizens.

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India ‘deeply disappointed’ with Canada after attack on Hindu Sabha Mandir camp in Brampton

Meanwhile, Canadian police have so far arrested three people in connection with the violence. Peel Regional Police said the people were arrested in connection with an assault with a weapon and an assault on a police officer.

Additionally, Sergeant Harinder Sohi, a Peel Regional Police officer in Canada, who was seen participating in pro-Khalistani groups that attacked Hindus at the Hindu Sabha temple in Brampton, has been suspended.

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Peel police suspended after taking part in protest at Brampton Hindu temple

Sohi was filmed holding a Khalistan flag, while other participants in the protest chanted anti-India slogans. Following the suspension, Sohi, an 18-year police veteran, reportedly received death threats on social media, prompting the Peel Regional Police Association to offer “help and protection.”

With the contribution of agencies.