NEW DELHI: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Sunday he condemned the attack on Sabha Hindu Temple in Brampton by alleged Khalistani extremists and declared that every Canadian has the right to practice their faith freely and safely.
In a widely circulated video, a group of violent men were seen brandishing sticks and attacking worshipers outside the temple. The crowd also carried flags associated with pro-Khalistani groups.
According to the community organization Canadian Hindu Foundationwomen and children were also attacked in the violent crowds.
Speaking to X, Trudeau thanked local authorities for their quick response to protect the community and investigate this incident.
“The acts of violence committed today at the Hindu Sabha Mandir in Brampton are unacceptable. Every Canadian has the right to practice their faith freely and safely,” Trudeau said.
“Thank you to Peel Regional Police for responding quickly to protect the community and investigate this incident,” he added.
Opposition Leader Pierre Poilievre and Canadian MP Chandra Arya also condemned the incident, calling it “totally unacceptable.”
Poilievre added that conservatives condemned the attack and promised to unite the people and end the chaos.
“It is completely unacceptable to see violence targeting worshipers at the Hindu Sabha Mandir in Brampton today,” the Opposition Leader said.
“All Canadians should be free to practice their faith in peace. Conservatives unequivocally condemn this violence. I will unite our people and end the chaos,” he added.
Meanwhile, Chandra Arya condemned the violence and said that under the “freedom of speech“Extremists get a free pass in Canada.
Attacking the Trudeau administration, Arya further said that he was beginning to believe that there was a small grain of truth in reports that, in addition to the Canadian political apparatus, Khalistanis had indeed infiltrated the law enforcement agencies of Canada.
“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. “I think there is a little truth in the reports that, in addition to the Canadian political apparatus, Khalistanis have actually infiltrated our law enforcement agencies,” he said in an article on X.
“It is no wonder that under ‘free speech’ Khalistan extremists get a free pass into Canada. As I have long said, Hindu Canadians, for the safety of our community , must step up their efforts and assert their rights and hold politicians accountable,” he added.
Peel Regional Police are investigating the incident and said they were aware of the protest taking place in the city’s northeast.
“While we respect individual rights to protest in accordance with the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, our duty and responsibility remains to maintain public order and ensure the safety of all,” the statement read.
This recent attack joins a series of similar incidents documented in recent years, highlighting a worrying trend of religious intolerance.
In July, Arya expressed deep concern over violence directed against Hindu-Canadian communities. In an article on In recent years, Hindu temples in the Greater Toronto Area, British Columbia and other places in Canada have been vandalized with hateful graffiti. “.
Last year, a Hindu temple in Windsor was defaced with anti-Indian graffiti, sparking widespread condemnation and calls for action from Canadian and Indian officials. Previous incidents in Mississauga and Brampton saw temples similarly targeted, sparking strong reactions from Canada’s Indian community.