Claims, counter-claims over what led to clashes at Hindu temple in Canada
On Sunday, a group of devotees at the Hindu Sabha Mandir in Canada was targeted by alleged Khalistani supporters, which led to an outrage.
Reacting to this, Ruby Sahota, a Canadian Member of Parliament for Brampton North, said, “I am troubled to hear about the recent acts of violence outside the Hindu Sabha temple in Brampton. Everyone in our community deserves to feel safe and respected in their places of worship. There is no room for such actions in our society, and I strongly denounce this violence.”
Threats to our community’s peace and security will not be tolerated, and those involved should face the fullest consequences of the law.
— Ruby Sahota (@rubysahotalib) November 3, 2024
She added: “I have spoken with police chief Nishan and have confidence that Peel Regional Police will act swiftly to protect our community and hold those responsible to account. Threats to our community’s peace and security will not be tolerated, and those involved should face the fullest consequences of the law.”
Ontario Sikhs and Gurdwara Council has also condemned the attack, saying “violence and intimidation have no place in the community, and that they advocate peace, unity and mutual respect for all”.
"OSGC strongly condemn the incident of violence outside the Hindu Sabha Mandir on Gore Rd in Brampton. Violence and intimidation have no place in our community, where peace, unity, and mutual respect are the values we hold near and dear," the statement by OSGC.
The OSGC said that the places of worship should remain sacred spaces for reflection, spirituality, and community cohesion, free from violence or disturbances.
BREAKING: The RCMP start attacking Hindu worshippers on their own temple grounds in Surrey BC.
Watch as an RCMP officer goes into the crowd to go after Hindu devotees after pushing them back to protect the Khalistanis who came to harass the temple goers on Diwali. Punching Hindus… pic.twitter.com/uugAJun59q
— Daniel Bordman (@DanielBordmanOG) November 4, 2024
Meanwhile, pro-Khalistan activists claimed that some miscreants were harassing and intimidating Sikhs gathered in Brampton to commemorate the 1984 genocide. When they were chased, the miscreants took shelter in the nearby Hindu Sabha temple, which led to the clashes, according to social media reports.
The recent attack adds to a string of similar incidents documented in recent years, which were unheard of before in Canada.
Canadian Prime Minsiter Justin Trudeau has emphasised the importance of religious freedom. Trudeau said every Canadian has the right to practise their faith freely and safely.
Sharing a post on X, Trudeau wrote, "The acts of violence at the Hindu Sabha Mandir in Brampton today are unacceptable. Every Canadian has the right to practise their faith freely and safely."
"Thank you to the Peel Regional Police for swiftly responding to protect the community and investigate the incident," the post added.
Earlier, Canadian opposition leader Pierre Poilievre condemned the attack on the temple, calling it "completely unacceptable".
Sharing a post on X, Poilievre wrote, "Completely unacceptable to see violence targeting worshippers at the Hindu Sabha Mandir in Brampton today."
"All Canadians should be free to practise their faith in peace. Conservatives condemn this violence unequivocally. I will unite our people and end the chaos," he added.
Maxime Bernier, leader of the People's Party of Canada (PPC), posted a video on X, showing Khalistani extremists attacking the Hindu devotees at the temple, adding that such an incident can't deter the Canadian citizens as diversity is the nation's strength.
He posted a message on X, saying, "Khalistani Sikhs attacking worshippers at Brampton Hindu temple. Nothing to worry about though because DIVERSITY IS OUR STRENGTH!!!"
Condemning the attack, the Hindu Forum Canada, a non-profit organisation based in Canada working for the welfare of Hindus, also urged PM Trudeau to take action against Khalistani extremists and protect Canadian citizens.
The Hindu Forum Canada also shared a video on X, stating, "Very disturbing images! #Khalistanis have attacked devotees at #HinduSabhaTemple, Brampton. This is unacceptable! @PeelPolice@patrickbrownont@JustinTrudeau@fordnation - Take action and protect Canadians."
Canadian Member of Parliament Chandra Arya, also condemned the attack saying a "red line has been crossed" by Khalistani extremists, highlighting the rise of brazen violent extremism in Canada.
Arya shared a video of the attack on X and wrote, "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."
He added, "I begin to feel that there is a small grain of truth in the reports that in addition to Canadian political apparatus, Khalistanis have effectively infiltrated into our law-enforcement agencies."
The Canadian Member of Parliament expressed concerns that Khalistani extremists were taking advantage of Canada's freedom of expression laws, and were receiving a "free pass".
"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," Arya wrote.
Last year, a temple in Windsor suffered defacement with anti-India graffiti, sparking widespread condemnation and calls for action from both Canadian and Indian officials. Earlier incidents in Mississauga and Brampton saw temples similarly targeted, drawing strong reactions from the Indian community in Canada.
