India has strongly condemned recent violent acts targeting its community outreach events in Canada, urging the Canadian government to ensure the safety of places of worship and Indian nationals residing in the country.
The official statement from India on Monday (Nov 4, 2024) followed an incident at the Hindu Sabha Temple in Brampton, Ontario, where violent disruptions affected a consular camp organized by the Indian High Commission. This incident marked the third of its kind in recent days, following similar disruptions in Surrey and Vancouver.
Responding to media queries official spokesperson of MEA said:
“We condemn the acts of violence perpetrated by extremists and separatists at the Hindu Sabha Temple in Brampton,” said Randhir Jaiswal, official spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). “We call on the Government of Canada to ensure that all places of worship are protected from such attacks. We also expect that those indulging in violence will be prosecuted.” Jaiswal stated that these events were organized to serve both Indian and Canadian citizens, providing essential documents like life certificates for pensions and other services.
Background
The Indian High Commission in Ottawa described the disruptions as orchestrated by Khalistani elements, seeking to intimidate the Indian diaspora and create unrest. Despite these incidents, consular staff successfully provided services to over 1,000 applicants, demonstrating their commitment to the diaspora.
“Our outreach to provide services to Indians and Canadian citizens alike will not be deterred by intimidation, harassment, and violence,” Jaiswal added, underscoring the resolve to continue serving the community despite security challenges.
In light of the escalating security concerns, the High Commission stated that future consular camps would depend on local authorities’ ability to ensure the safety of attendees and staff. “There were also attempts to disrupt similar camps held in Vancouver and Surrey,” the High Commission noted, reinforcing the need for robust protection measures from Canadian authorities.
These incidents have added strain to an already tense diplomatic relationship between India and Canada, following accusations from Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Indian involvement in the killing of Khalistani activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. India has rejected these allegations as “absurd,” maintaining that the primary issue is Canada’s leniency toward pro-Khalistan groups operating within its borders.
The Indian High Commission has also indicated that if safety concerns prevent holding these camps, alternative arrangements will be considered, though this could cause inconvenience for those relying on these services.
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