Canada levelling allegations without giving specifics: EAM

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday accused Canada of giving “political space” to “extremist forces”. This comes after a Hindu temple was attacked by Khalistan supporters in Brampton on Sunday.

Canadian cop suspended for temple protest

Ottawa: A Canadian police officer has been suspended for participating in a pro-Khalistan protest outside the Hindu Sabha temple in Brampton, according to a media report. On Sunday, protesters carrying Khalistani flags clashed with people at the temple and disrupted a consular event co-organised by the temple authorities and the Indian Consulate.

Separately, on the recent accusations against Indian officials of being involved in the killing of Khalistani Hardeep Singh Nijjar, the minister said Canada was making “allegations without providing specifics”.

Jaishankar and his Australian counterpart Penny Wong were part of the India-Australia Foreign Ministers’ Framework Dialogue in Canberra. After the meet, Jaishankar said at a joint press conference, “What happened yesterday at the Hindu temple in Canada was obviously deeply concerning.”

The EAM referred to the videos of the violence in Canada and added “political space is being given to extremist voices there”. He said “India too believes in freedom. We also believe freedom should not be abused.” He added the same has been brought up with the Australian side too.

Answering a question, he said, “You should have seen the statement by our official spokesperson and also the expression of concern by our PM yesterday. That should convey to you how deeply we feel about it.” The minister was referring to the incident on Sunday outside a consular camp organised by the Indian High Commission in collaboration with the Hindu Sabha Mandir in Brampton, near Toronto. Video clips on social media showed protesters carrying Khalistani flags.

Reacting to the incident, Modi said on Monday: “I strongly condemn the deliberate attack on a Hindu temple in Canada. Equally appalling are the cowardly attempts to intimidate our diplomats.”

Jaishankar, on being asked about the accusation of Canada against Indian officials for being connected with the killing of Nijjar, said, “Canada has developed a pattern of making allegations without providing specifics.” Canada, he added, was putting Indian diplomats under surveillance and that is something which is unacceptable.

Meanwhile, Wong, referring to the diplomatic standoff between India and Canada, said that Australia respects Canada’s judicial process.

On being asked about the attacks on Hindu temples in Australia, Wong called the incidents “upsetting” for the Indian community and affirmed everyone in the country is entitled to be safe regardless of their faith.