Close X
Saturday, November 23, 2024
ADVT 
National

Party leaders condemn violence at Hindu temple in Brampton amid India consular visit

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 04 Nov, 2024 11:50 AM
  • Party leaders condemn violence at Hindu temple in Brampton amid India consular visit

India's high commission in Canada is condemning violence that erupted Sunday as Indian consular officials visited a Hindu temple in the Toronto suburb of Brampton.

Videos circulating on social media appear to show demonstrators holding banners in support of a separate Sikh country called Khalistan clashing with others, including some holding India's national flag.

The videos seem to show fist fights and people striking each other with poles in what appears to be the grounds surrounding the Hindu Sabha Mandir temple.

The group Sikhs for Justice said Khalistan supporters had been protesting the presence of Indian consulate officials undertaking an announced visit to provide administrative services such as helping seniors access pensions.

In a release, India's high commission said plans for further visits to temples would be contingent on security arrangements from local authorities to protect the safety of officials, organizers and attendees.

"It is deeply disappointing to see such disruptions being allowed for routine consular work being organized by our Consulates," the embassy said in a statement posted to social media.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh all wrote Sunday on the platform X that they condemn the violence that occurred at the temple.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford wrote that the violence was "completely unacceptable and must be condemned."

Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown said he was "disappointed to hear about acts of violence" outside the temple. 

"Those found guilty should be punished to the greatest extent of the law," he wrote on X.

A spokesman for Peel Regional Police, which oversees law enforcement in Brampton, said nobody had been arrested or charged in relation to the protests, but said police will probe "any acts of violence or threats."

Sikhs for Justice alleged Hindu nationalists had provoked the fighting and has claimed Indian officials use visits to religious sites to find informants to target Sikh separatists. The Indian high commission in Ottawa did not immediately respond to the claims.

The group is asking that Indian consular officials be barred from undertaking work outside of their diplomatic premises, arguing external site visits "directly endanger the safety and security of pro-Khalistan citizens in Canada."

But Liberal MP Chandra Arya accused "Canadian Khalistani extremists" of attacking Hindus, saying they are "getting a free pass in Canada."

The clashes come as Hindus celebrate the Diwali holiday and amid mounting tensions between Canada and India.

Last month, Canada expelled six Indian diplomats over allegations they used their positions to collect information on Canadians in the pro-Khalistan independence movement and then passed the details on to criminal gangs who targeted the individuals directly.

India has long accused Canada of harbouring pro-Khalistan terrorists that New Delhi has asked Ottawa to extradite, though Canadian officials say those requests often lack adequate proof.

Tensions have not been confined to Ontario.

This past Friday, a judge with British Columbia's Supreme Court granted an order to establish a buffer zone around one of the province's largest Sikh temples in advance of expected confrontations between protesters and Indian consular officials this weekend.

The request came from leaders of a Sikh temple who said they expected "intense protests" at two Indian consular events, commonly known as "consular camps."

MORE National ARTICLES

Testy B.C. election campaign sees leaders attacking each other more than policy

Testy B.C. election campaign sees leaders attacking each other more than policy
British Columbia's election campaign enters its final day in what is viewed as a too-close-to-call contest where David Eby's New Democrats and the B.C. Conservatives led by John Rustad debated big issues of housing, health care, affordability and the overdose crisis, but also tangled over plastic straws and a billionaire’s billboards. The two main party leaders spent a lot of time telling voters why they shouldn't vote for the other rather than presenting their own case for support. 

Testy B.C. election campaign sees leaders attacking each other more than policy

House committee to summon RCMP, ministers over allegations of Indian interference

House committee to summon RCMP, ministers over allegations of Indian interference
The head of the RCMP and Canada's ministers of foreign affairs and public safety will be summoned to testify at a House of Commons committee about the bombshell allegations made this week about Indian state-sponsored interference in Canada. The national security committee agreed to call RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme along with Mélanie Joly and Dominic LeBlanc in a special meeting this morning.

House committee to summon RCMP, ministers over allegations of Indian interference

3 arrested in Whalley stabbing

3 arrested in Whalley stabbing
Mounties in Surrey say three people have been arrested in the stabbing of a woman in the Whalley neighbourhood earlier this month. They say the assault happened around 12:30 a-m on October 6th, and the R-C-M-P released photos and videos of the suspects 10 days later. 

3 arrested in Whalley stabbing

Weather warnings issued as atmospheric river approaches B.C. coast

Weather warnings issued as atmospheric river approaches B.C. coast
Environment Canada has issued several rainfall warnings for British Columbia, covering much of Vancouver Island and the coastal regions as the first atmospheric river of the season approaches. It says heavy rain is expected to reach inland sections of the central coast that will intensify throughout the day before peaking this afternoon, bringing up to 70 millimetres.

Weather warnings issued as atmospheric river approaches B.C. coast

Tobacco giants would pay out $32.5 billion to provinces, smokers in proposed deal

Tobacco giants would pay out $32.5 billion to provinces, smokers in proposed deal
The companies — JTI-Macdonald Corp., Rothmans, Benson & Hedges and Imperial Tobacco Canada Ltd. — filed a proposed plan of arrangement in an Ontario court today after more than five years of negotiations with their creditors. The companies sought creditor protection in Ontario in early 2019 after they lost an appeal in a landmark court battle in Quebec.

Tobacco giants would pay out $32.5 billion to provinces, smokers in proposed deal

14 arrested in Whalley's drug trade

14 arrested in Whalley's drug trade
Police in Surrey say they have arrested 14 people in an enforcement operation targeting an open drug trade in the city’s Whalley area. Mounties say the operation took place on October 3rd, and also resulted in the seizure of 16 weapons, including a pellet gun, brass knuckles, batons, bear spray and knives.

14 arrested in Whalley's drug trade