The World Hindu Sikh Forum staged a protest outside the Canadian High Commission in New Delhi, condemning attacks on Hindu temples in Canada and rejecting Khalistani ideology.

Hundreds of protesters from the World Hindu Sikh Forum gathered outside Chanakyapuri on Sunday in a tense and charged atmosphere that enveloped the Canadian High Commission in New Delhi. The protest was called following a series of recent attacks and vandalism targeting Hindu temples in Canada, particularly the violent incident at the Hindu Sabha Mandir in Brampton. Heightened security forces were present as demonstrators intensified their protest.

The demonstration, which included activists from several Hindu and Sikh groups, was met with a formidable police presence. Although authorities placed heavy security outside the High Commission, the protesters were subdued by police at Teen Murti Marg. Some activists nevertheless attempted to cross police lines, thereby overturning the barriers.

Tarvinder Singh Marwah, President of the World Hindu Sikh Forum, was also present and spoke passionately. According to him: “An entire generation has been destroyed by militancy. Either they were killed or emigrated to other countries. Then they introduced drugs to ruin the lives of our younger generation.

When they realized that Punjab was doing well, they started religious conversions. And now this new attack on the temples has begun. This is wrong and unfortunate. We have come to say that we are all together. A true Sikh will never be a Khalistani. If they want to have a nation, they must confine it to themselves. We want our tricolor flag and our country to be respected at all times. The Sikhs of India remain in India and do not support Khalistan,” he announced.

#WATCH | Delhi: Members of the Hindu Sikh Global Forum who were going to the Canadian High Commission, Chanakyapuri, to protest against the attack on a Hindu temple in Canada, were stopped at Teen Murti Marg by the police. pic.twitter.com/ONaXu46gJi

-ANI (@ANI) November 10, 2024

The Brampton Attack

Prompted by a series of violent incidents, including the attack on the Hindu Sabha Mandir in Brampton on November 3, allegedly carried out by pro-Khalistani extremists, violence erupted and clashes broke out between the alleged perpetrators and Canadian Hindu devotees. The incident also raised serious alarm bells about growing anti-Hindu sentiment in Canada and the Canadian government’s response to pro-Khalistan extremists operating freely within its borders.

Khalistani factor

The Brampton attack was not an isolated incident. Huge protests broke out not only in Brampton, but also in Mississauga, near Brampton. It didn’t take long for things to get worse when a Canadian police officer, Harinder Sohi, was suspended following his participation in a pro-Khalistan protest rally during which anti-India slogans were chanted.

So far, Canadians have arrested four people in violent cases. The list of suspects includes Inderjeet Gosal-a known leader of the banned organization Sikhs for Justice (SFJ). Gosal, who is close to pre-death Khalistani activist-turned-accused Hardeep Singh Nijjar, was found guilty of armed assault.

India has expressed serious concern over the continuing violence in Canada. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned attacks on Hindu temples and called on Canadian authorities to ensure the safety of Indian nationals and places of worship. Foreign Minister S Jaishankar called the attacks “deeply worrying”. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed hope that the perpetrators would be brought to justice by law enforcement authorities in Canada.

This test has put even more pressure on the already strained bilateral relations between India and Canada. The row intensified last September when Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau hinted at India’s possible involvement in the assassination of pro-Khalistan leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar. India categorically rejected the claim as “absurd” and reiterated that the central problem between the two countries is Canada’s inability to deal with the rampant growth of pro-Khalistan elements acting in complete confidence. impunity.

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