Attack on Canadian temple disrupts India’s consular camp

New Delhi:

Shortly after a violent attack on a Hindu temple in Brampton, Canada, the Indian High Commission in Ottawa said a consular camp was being held near the temple, adding that it was “deeply disturbing” that such “disruptions” were being allowed during routine consular duties. .

The comments come amid diplomatic tensions between India and Canada, sparked by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s allegations over New Delhi’s involvement in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. India quashed the charges.

“As in previous years, the High Commission of India in Ottawa and the Consulates General of India in Vancouver and Toronto have organized/planned consular camps during this period, for the benefit and convenience of local Life Certificate beneficiaries (Canadian and Indian). Due to Given the prevailing security situation in Canada, Canadian authorities were requested well in advance to take strong security measures for these events, which constitute routine consular work,” the High Commission said in a statement shared on

“We have seen violent disruption today (November 3) orchestrated by anti-India elements outside the consular camp. Organized in collaboration with the Hindu Sabha Mandir, Brampton, near Toronto. It is very disappointing to see such disruptions being allowed for routine consular work organized by our consulates with the full cooperation of local co-organisers. We also remain deeply concerned about the safety of applicants, including Indian nationals, at whose request such events are being organized in the first place.

“Despite these efforts by anti-Indian elements, our consulate was able to issue more than a thousand life certificates to the Indian and Canadian applicants. There were also attempts to disrupt similar camps held in Vancouver and Surrey on November 2 and 3,” the High Commission said. said.

It added that in light of these incidents and with Indian diplomats being threatened, the organization of more planned consular camps would be dependent on security arrangements by local authorities.

“In the event that it is impossible to hold a camp due to such disruptions, alternative arrangements will be made to provide these services, which may unfortunately inconvenience local users of these services,” the High Commission said.

Some Indian-Canadian leaders, including MP Chandra Arya, have alleged that Khalistani extremists were behind the violence at the Hindu Sabha Mandir temple. Some videos that went viral show a group of men attacking devotees inside the temple. A spokesperson for Peel Regional Police told AFP that no arrests had been made.

Arya said a “red line was crossed today by Canadian Khalistani extremists.” “The attack by Khalistanis on the Hindu-Canadian devotees at the premises of the Hindu Sabha Temple in Brampton shows how deep and brazen Khalistani violent extremism has become in Canada.”

Canada’s prime minister has responded to the attack on the temple, describing it as “unacceptable”. “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 responding quickly to protect the community and investigate this incident investigations,” Trudeau said in a message on X.