Justin Trudeau (archive image)

Photo: AP

Ottawa: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau On Tuesday, he broke his silence on recent incidents of violence in the country. However, Trudeau did not address the attack on a Hindu temple in Brampton by Khalstani extremists. Addressing Parliament, the Canadian prime minister said those who participated in the violence did not represent the country’s Hindu or Sikh community.

In his speech, Trudeau did not mention Khalistani groups and referred to Hindus and Sikhs as South Asian communities. “The violence that we have seen in South Asian communities across the country over the last few nights, let me be very clear. Individuals who incite violence, division and hatred in no way represent the Sikh community or the Hindu community in Canada. ” Trudeau said.

Trudeau’s speech In the Canadian Parliament:

A pro-Khalistani mob attacked a group of worshipers, including women and children, at a Hindu temple in Canada on Sunday. Video of the incident shows fist fights and people hitting each other with sticks on what appears to be the grounds surrounding the Hindu temple Sabha Mandir. The incident disrupted a consular event co-organized by the Hindu Sabha Mandir and the Indian Consulate.

Peel police personnel were deployed outside the temple to maintain law and order as pro-Khalistani sympathizers attacked Hindu devotees at the temple.

However, in a video shared by Daniel Bordman on X, Peel Police personnel can be seen using force against worshipers at the temple. According to Bordman, the security officers “hit” and “beat them with batons.” However, Times Now Digital could not independently verify the authenticity of the video.

In the video, a woman can be seen pointing at a police officer, accusing him of assaulting and targeting only members of the Hindu community. As the situation worsened, crowds chanted “bring him out” and “get out”, with tensions running high outside the temple grounds.

IndiaThe reaction of:

PM Modi Condemnation of the attack on a Hindu temple:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi attacks a Hindu temple in Brampton, Canada by a group of Khalistan extremists. Prime Minister Modi also criticized the Justin Trudeau-led Canadian government for its “cowardly attempts” to intimidate Indian diplomats.

Notably, this was the prime minister’s first reaction to the ongoing diplomatic row between India and 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 never weaken India’s resolve. We expect this May the Canadian government ensure justice and uphold the rule of law,” Prime Minister Modi said in his X message.

What did MEA say?

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) also condemned the alleged attack on the Hindu temple.

“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 against such attacks. Violence will be prosecuted. We remain deeply concerned about the safety and security of Indian nationals in Canada,” said MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal.

The attack took place amid the ongoing diplomatic standoff between India and Canada, as India maintains that the main issue between the two countries is whether Canada gives space to pro-Khalistan elements operating with impunity from Canadian soil.

Diplomatic relations between India and Canada deteriorated last year in September after Trudeau alleged India’s involvement in the assassination of Khalistan extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. India, however, rejected these accusations. So far, Canada has not shared any evidence supporting its claims.