A day after alleged pro-Khalistani extremists attacked Hindu-Canadian devotees at the Hindu Sabha temple in Canada’s Brampton, a Canadian journalist has warned that the India-Canada relationship may “get worse” with one year remaining for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s term to end.
In a video clip posted on X by Canadian MP Chandra Arya, men wielding Khalistan flags can be seen attacking people with the flag staffs at the main entrance to the temple complex as the latter run helter-skelter. “They are so violent,” a woman can be heard remarking.
What Trudeau said on temple attack
Trudeau condemned the attack and said it was “unacceptable”.
Also read: Canada: ‘Khalistanis’ attack devotees at Hindu temple
Taking to X (formerly Twitter) on Monday (November 4), Trudeau thanked the local authorities for the swift response to protect the community and probe this incident.
“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,” Trudeau said.
‘A lot depends on US election’
After the attack on the Hindu temple, Canadian journalist Daniel Bordman said the India-Canada ties are likely to “get worse”.
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“It is not good…you don’t know Justin Trudeau, there is one more year for him to go so brace yourself, it is going to get worse most likely. Hopefully, a new government comes in and pulls out of a tailspin. A lot depends on US Presidential election…” news agency YEARS quoted Bordman as saying.
He questioned the Canadian police’s response to the attack, calling it “disgusting”.
“The recent attack is horrifying…it has crossed new lines…it is the first broad daylight attack on Hindu devotees in this country. The response from the Police was disgusting…this was utterly preventable…we see this all the time in Canada where the Police decide that they are going to enforce the law to the people who are most likely to listen to it…there is no part of Canadian govt, has taken their side in any of this…,” he said.
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On his X account, he wrote, “Canada has set a horrible precedent that is open season on Hindus. You cannot fix a problem if you are unable to identify a problem, and the inability for any political leader to say “Khalistani extremists” is troubling.”
Indian High Commission’s response
The High Commission of India in Ottawa also issued a strong statement on Monday condemning the attack on Brampton’s Hindu Sabha temple by “anti-India” elements.
This incident disrupted a consular event co-organised by the Hindu Sabha Mandir and the Indian consulate.
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“We have seen violent disruption today (November 3), orchestrated by anti-India elements outside the consular camp co-organised with the Hindu Sabha Mandir in Brampton, near Toronto,” it said.
“We also remain very concerned for the safety of applicants, including Indian nationals, on whose demand such events are organised in the first place. Despite these efforts by anti-India elements, our Consulate was able to issue more than 1000 life certificates to the Indian and Canadian applicants…,” it added.
The relations between India and Canada came under severe strain following Trudeau’s allegations in September last year of a “potential” involvement of Indian agents in Khalistan extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar’s killing.
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