Ottawa:The Indian High Commission in Ottawa has termed as disappointing the disruptions orchestrated by anti-India elements outside the consular camp which was co-organised with the Hindu Sabha Mandir, Brampton in Toronto.
In a statement issued on its official X handle, the High Commission of India, Ottawa said, "As in previous years, the High Commission of India in Ottawa and Consulates General of India in Vancouver and Toronto have organised/plan consular camps during this period, for the benefit and ease of local life certificate beneficiaries (Canadian and Indian)."
"On account of the prevailing security situation in Canada, the Canadian authorities had been requested well in advance to provide strong security measures for these events, which constitute routine consular work. We have seen violent disruption today (November 3) orchestrated by anti-India elements outside the consular camp co-organised with the Hindu Sabha Mandir, Brampton, near Toronto,," the Indian High Commission said.
"It is deeply disappointing to see such disruptions being allowed for routine consular work being organised by our Consulates with the fullest cooperation of local co-organisers. 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," the statement said.
It also claimed that there were also attempts to disrupt similar camps held in Vancouver and Surrey on November 2-3.
"In light of these incidents, and with the continued threats posed to the Indian diplomats and officials, local venue organisers as well as local attendees, organisation of further scheduled consular camps will be contingent on security arrangements made for them by local authorities.
In case any camp is infeasible to be held due to such disruptions, alternative arrangements will be made to render those services, which may unfortunately inconvenience local users of these services," the statement added.
Similar incidents in the past:
22.07.2024: A Swaminarayan Mandir temple managed by the Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Sanstha (BAPS) in the Canadian city of Edmonton was vandalised with alleged hateful and anti-India graffiti.
05.01.2024:A Hindu temple in the US state of California was defaced with pro-Khalistani graffiti.
23.12.2023:A prominent Hindu temple was vandalised with anti-India graffiti in the U.S. state of California.
07.09.2023: The Shri Mata Bhameshwari Durga temple, in the Canadian town of Surrey was desecrated with anti-India and pro-Khalistan graffiti on its outer walls.
12.08.2023:Khalistan supporters pasted the posters on the main door of the temple of Lakshmi Narayan Mandir, located in Surrey, British Columbia which read, 'Canada investigates India’s role in June 18th assassination', referring to the killing of known Khalistan leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
02.07.2023:A group of Khalistan supporters set the Indian Consulate in San Francisco on fire. The San Francisco Fire Department suppressed the fire and no major damages were reported.