Khalistani hardliners on Sunday mounted an anti-government protest outside the Hindu Sabha Temple in Brampton, turning the event a violent face-off and attendees being reportedly attacked.
This event also brought forth strong opposition from politicians, including Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who is an opposer of violence. Though the police force of Peel had not made any arrest yet regarding the violence incident that happened at Hindu Sabha Temple, Brampton; they were visible and had lined up officers on the sides of the temple by Sunday noon.
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 safely. Thank you to the Peel Regional Police for swiftly responding to protect the community and investigate this incident," Trudeau said.
Canadian Member of Parliament Chandra Arya also condemned the attack, declaring that a "red line has been crossed" by Khalistani extremists. Posting on X, Arya said, "A red line has been crossed by Canadian Khalistani extremists today. The attack by Khalistanis on the Hindu-Canadian devotees inside the premises of the Hindu Sabha temple in Brampton shows how deep and brazen Khalistani violent extremism has become in Canada.". I feel that there is hardly any truth in the reports to this effect, because for example, Khalistanis have infiltrated themselves into the ranks of our law-enforcement agencies along with the apparatus of the Canadian political parties.
He further said, "No wonder that under the 'freedom of expression' Khalistani extremists are getting a free pass in Canada. As I have been saying for long, Hindu-Canadians, for the security and safety of our community, need to step up and assert their rights and hold politicians accountable".
MP Toronto Kevin Vuong was particularly critical against the attacks as he further said, "Canada is becoming a safe harbour to radicals," said Vuong, adding Canadian leaders unable to protect the Hindu people just like how they let Christian and Jewish Canada fall flat. Vuong wrote from X: "Alarming to see an attack on Hindu Canadians. From Khalistani extremists to terrorist cosplayers, Canada has become a safe harbour to radicals". Our leaders are failing to safeguard Hindus as they do for Christians and Jewish Canadians. We all deserve the right to worship in peace.
The Hindu Canadian Foundation, a non-profit which fights for the rights of Hindus in Canada, also posted a video of the attack. According to this foundation, the violence unleashed by Khalistani extremists targets children and women as well. The post on X by the foundation said, "Hindu Sabha Temple is under attack by #KhalistaniTerrorists #khalistan." It added, "Kids, Women, and Men are being attacked. All this is happening under the support of Khalistaani politician sympathizers."
This is the latest incident in an emerging pattern of religious intolerance on the rise over the past few years. Last year, graffiti targeting India was found at a Hindu temple in Windsor, leading to widespread condemnation by Canadian and Indian officials. Other temples in Mississauga and Brampton have previously been targeted, which elicited concern and a strong reaction from Canada's Indian community.
Relations between Canada and India continue to deteriorate as last year, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau mentioned "credible allegations" that Indian government agents involved in the murder of a Khalistani separatist leader, Hardeep Singh Nijjar, included other diplomats and Verma, who is being sought to be prosecuted for his direct involvement in such activities by New Delhi. New Delhi has termed the allegations "absurd" and "motivated" and has vociferously criticized Canada over its alleged free operation on its soil by extremist anti-India elements.
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