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Brampton Mandir officials said that the event was cancelled after receiving official intelligence from Peel Regional Police.
Authorities of Brampton Triveni Mandir said they were saddened because Canadians feel unsafe while visiting Hindu temples in the country. (IMAGE: BRAMPTON TRIVENI MANDIR)
The administration of the Brampton Triveni Mandir on Monday cancelled an event due to threats of violent protests by Khalistani separatists in Canada.
The event, scheduled to be held on November 17, has been cancelled and would have seen life certificates being handed over to Sikh and Hindu residents. The event was being held in cooperation with the Indian consulate.
The temple administration said that the event was cancelled due to official intelligence from Peel Regional Police who told them that there is an “Extremely High and Imminent Threat Level of violent protests”.
Threat posters released on social media handles of Khalistani group Sikhs for Justice also called for violent protests outside Hindu temples.
“On the advice of Police Chief Nishan Duraiappah, we must make the appropriate decision to cancel to ensure the safety of Brampton Triveni Mandir devotees, community visitors, and the general public,” Brampton Triveni Mandir authorities said in a statement.
The temple authorities also said that they are ‘deeply saddened that Canadians now feel unsafe coming to Hindu Temples in Canada’.
“We apologise to all community members who were depending on the event. We are deeply saddened that Canadians now feel unsafe coming to Hindu Temples in Canada,” the statement said.
“We call on Peel Police to address the threats being circulated against Brampton Triveni Mandir and provide security guarantees to the Canadian Hindu Community and the general public,” it further added.
Khalistani separatists attacked devotees outside the Hindu Sabha Mandir in Brampton in October and beat them up with sticks. Video footage of Khalistani separatists holding the group’s flags and thrashing devotees went viral, raising questions about security of places of worship in Canada.
The external affairs ministry also reacted to the incident and said: “We condemn the acts of violence perpetrated by extremists and separatists at the Hindu Sabha Temple in Brampton, Ontario. We also expect that those indulging in violence will be prosecuted. We remain deeply concerned about the safety and security of Indian nationals in Canada”.
