More than one thousand Canadian Hindus congregated outside the Hindu Sabha Mandir in Brampton, Canada, Monday evening (local time) for a protest rally against repeated attacks on Hindu temples in the country. The extremists of the Khalistani group had perpetrated such attacks just a day earlier. Organizer of this rally called upon the Canadian politicians and police agencies not to support Khalistani groups.
The Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA) posted on social media platform X, saying attacks on Hindu temples across Canada over the Diwali weekend had led to calls for the end of "Hinduphobia" in the country.
CoHNA posted on X, "Over a thousand #CanadianHindus have gathered in Brampton to protest against the increasingly brazen attacks on Hindu Temples.". It was the holy #Diwali weekend yesterday, but it witnessed an attack on Canadian Hindu temples, all along the coast. Canada needs to stop this #Hinduphobia now @JustinTrudeau @PierrePoilievre @MaximeBernier @CoHNAOfficial @kushal_mehra @ShawnBinda.
On Sunday, an Indian consular camp at the Hindu Sabha Temple was subjected to a "violent disruption" in Brampton, near Toronto. After the attacks, the Hindu Canadian Foundation, a non-profit organization representing the Hindu community in Canada, released a video of the temple attack, saying that Khalistani terrorists targeted children and women.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the "deliberate attack," terming it a "cowardly attempt to intimidate" Indian diplomats and stressing that New Delhi expects Canadian authorities to ensure justice and uphold the rule of law. "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 will never weaken India's resolve.". We expect the Canadian government to ensure justice and uphold the rule of law," PM Modi wrote on X.
After the Ministry of External Affairs condemned the violence perpetrated by extremists and separatists at the Hindu Sabha Temple in Brampton, Ontario, PM Modi put out this strong statement: "We call on the Government of Canada to ensure that all places of worship are protected from such attacks.". We also expect that violators will be prosecuted. At the same time, there is a lot of cause for concern over the security and safety of Indian citizens in Canada, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said reacting to reports of violence in Brampton.
"The outreach of our Consular officers to serve Indians and Canadians alike won't be intimidated, harrased, or violently countered," he said.
The Indian High Commission here condemned the "violent disruption" by 'anti-India' elements outside a consular camp and indicated that future events would depend on security arrangements made by local authorities. India has reiterated its serious concern over the growing culture of violence and anti-India activities in Canada and requested action to counter these menaces.
There has been a disturbing trend of similar incidents in recent years, which reflects a rising atmosphere of religious intolerance in Canada. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also condemned the attack on the Hindu Sabha temple in Brampton by Khalistani extremists, underlining religious freedom. He said, "The acts of violence at the Hindu Sabha Mandir in Brampton today are unacceptable.". Every Canadian has the right to practice their faith freely and in safety. Thanks to the Peel Regional Police for acting so promptly in securing the community and in this investigation.
Peel Regional Police identified three men arrested in connection with the attack: 42-year-old Mississauga resident Dilpreet Singh Bouns, a 23-year-old Brampton resident known only as Vikas, and a 31-year-old Mississauga man named Amritpal Singh. A fourth individual was arrested on an outstanding unrelated warrant and released.
Further, an off-duty Peel police officer was photographed in a video taking part in a pro-Khalistani supporter rally and is suspended with an investigation into the matter.
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