The Hindu Sabha Temple in Brampton, Canada, which is close to Toronto, was vandalised on Monday by demonstrators holding Khalistani flags, which External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar described as “deeply concerning” on Tuesday. The temple was attacked during a period when India and Canada were experiencing rising diplomatic tensions.
Social media videos seemed to show people in the Toronto suburb of Brampton punching and slapping flagpoles at one another.
“What happened yesterday at the Hindu temple in Canada was obviously deeply concerning,” news agency quoted S Jaishankar as saying in the Australian capital Canberra while he was on an official visit.
Tensions between Sikh separatists and Indian officials, as well as between Canada and India, have escalated as a result of the incident.
The Ministry of External Affairs stated earlier on Monday that India expects individuals who engage in violent behaviour “will be prosecuted” and condemns the acts of violence committed by separatists and extremists.
In a statement, the ministry added that New Delhi is still “deeply concerned” about the security and safety of Indian citizens in Canada.
“We condemn the acts of violence perpetrated by extremists and separatists at the Hindu Sabha Temple in Brampton, Ontario yesterday. We call on the government of Canada to ensure that all places of worship are protected from such attacks,” MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal was quoted as saying in the statement.
“We also expect that those indulging in violence will be prosecuted. We remain deeply concerned about the safety and security of Indian nationals in Canada. The outreach of our consular officers to provide services to Indians and Canadian citizens alike will not be deterred by intimidation, harassment and violence,” he said.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau condemned the clashes between protesters with Khalistani flags and civilians at the temple, stating that every Canadian has the right to freely and safely profess their religion.
According to Peel Regional Police, a demonstration took place at the Hindu Sabha temple in Brampton on Sunday. Unconfirmed videos that have been making the rounds on social media seemed to show protesters brandishing banners supporting Khalistan, according to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong stated that the vandalism of two Hindu temples in Canberra last month was distressing for Indian community members.
“People across Australia have a right to be safe and respected, people also have a right to peaceful protest, people have a right to express their views peacefully,” she told reporters. “We draw a line between that and violence, incitement of hatred or vandalism,” she added.
According to the news agency, Wong stated that Canberra supported Canada’s legal system and that Australia has communicated its opinions to India over the accusations made against Canada regarding the targeting of Sikh separatists.
S. Jaishankar declared that Canada’s surveillance of Indian diplomats was intolerable.
He claimed that “Canada has established a pattern of making accusations without offering specifics.”
