‘Red Line Crossed’: Canadian MPs Condemn Khalistani Attack On Devotees At Hindu Temple

Last Updated:November 04, 2024, 07:55 IST

Several Canadian MPs and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad in the country have condemned the attack by alleged Khalistani extremists at the Hindu Sabha Mandir in Brampton.

Hours after devotees at a Hindu temple in Canada were attacked by alleged Khalistani extremists, several Canadian lawmakers and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad in the country demanded strict action against those involved. Canadian MP Chandra Arya said a “red line has been crossed” by Canadian Khalistani extremists, and that the Khalistani extremists are getting a free pass in Canada.

“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 has Khalistani violent extremism has become in Canada.” (sic), the Canadian MP wrote in an X post.

“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 asserts their rights and hold politicians accountable,” he added.

Also condemning the attack, the VHP Canada shared a video of the incident on X and wrote, “VHP Canada denounces today’s violent protests at Hindu Sabha Mandir, Brampton, ON and the violence against Hindu community members by Khalistani extremists.”

“We demand that Federal and Ontario governments take the strictest actions against perpetrators of such violence as well as their support network. We also urge the Hindu community to unite in making our voices heard to bring a Stop to rampant Khalistani attacks on Hindus and our Mandirs,” it added.

The attack was reported at a temple in Canada’s Brampton.

Later, several videos on social media showed a group of men thrashing people with sticks outside the Hindu Sabha Mandir.

Reacting to the incident, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau emphasised the importance of religious freedom and asserted that every Canadian has the right to practice their faith freely and safely.

“The acts of violence at the Hindu Sabha Mandir in Brampton today are unacceptable. Every Canadian has the right to practice their faith freely and safely. Thank you to the Peel Regional Police for swiftly responding to protect the community and investigate this incident,” an X post by Trudeau read.

This comes as the diplomatic row between India and Canada escalated on October 14, when India expelled six Canadian diplomats and also announced withdrawing its high commissioner from the country after dismissing Ottawa’s allegations linking the envoy to a probe into the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

Toronto MP Kevin Vuong also condemned the attack and asserted that “Canada has become a safe harbour for radicals”. Resharing a post by Canadian journalist Daniel Bordman, Vuong also claimed that the country’s leaders have failed to protect Hindus just like they were unable to safeguard Christians and Jewish Canadians.

“Alarming to see an attack on Hindu Canadians. From Khalistani extremists to terrorist cosplayers, Canada has become a safe harbour for radicals. Our leaders are failing to safeguard Hindus as they have Christians & Jewish Canadians from violence,” Vuong wrote in an X post.

Canadian opposition leader Pierre Poilievre emphasised that all Canadians should be able to practice their faith in peace. Poilievre further stated that Conservatives condemned the attack and promised to unite the people and end the chaos.

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 practice their faith in peace. Conservatives condemn this violence unequivocally. I will unite our people and end the chaos.”

INDIA-CANADA ROW

The relations between the two countries came under severe strain following Trudeau’s allegations in September last year of a “potential” involvement of Indian agents in Nijjar’s killing.

New Delhi rejected Trudeau’s charges as “absurd”.

India has been maintaining that the main issue between the two countries is that of Canada giving space to pro-Khalistan elements operating from Canadian soil with impunity.