Ottawa: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau strongly condemned the recent attack on the Hindu Sabha temple in Brampton by Khalistani extremists. Emphasising the importance of religious freedom, Trudeau asserted that every Canadian has the right to practice their faith freely and safely.
Sharing a post on X, PM Trudeau said, "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," the Canadian PM said.
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.
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) November 3, 2024
Thank you to the Peel Regional Police for swiftly responding to protect the community and investigate this incident.
Earlier, Canadian opposition leader Pierre Poilievre condemned the attack, calling it "completely unacceptable."
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."
Completely unacceptable to see violence targeting worshippers at the Hindu Sabha Mandir in Brampton today.
— Pierre Poilievre (@PierrePoilievre) November 3, 2024
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.
"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," he added.
Meanwhile, Kevin Vuong, Toronto MP also condemned the attack and asserted that "Canada has become a safe harbour for radicals" and asserted that the country's leaders have failed to protect Hindus just like they failed to safeguard Christians and Jewish Canadians.
Sharing a post on X, Vuong wrote, "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 and Jewish Canadians from violence. We all deserve to worship in peace."
Alarming to see an attack on Hindu Canadians. From Khalistani extremists to terrorist cosplayers, 🇨🇦 has become a safe harbour for radicals.
— Kevin Vuong (@KevinVuongMP) November 3, 2024
Our leaders are failing to safeguard Hindus as they have Christians & Jewish Canadians from violence.
We all deserve to worship in peace. https://t.co/t3ckoXyD7z
Following the attacks, the Hindu Canadian Foundation, a non-profit organisation working for the Hindu community in Canada shared a video of the attack on the temple and said that the Khalistani terrorists attacked kids and women. Sharing a video on X, the Hindu Canadian Foundation wrote, "Hindu Sabha Temple is under attack by #KhalistaniTerrorists #khalistan."
"Kids, Women and Men are being attacked. This is all happening under the support of Khalistani politician sympathizers," the post added.
Canadian Member of Parliament Chandra Arya also condemned the attack on the temple and said that a "red line has been crossed" by Khalistani extremists, highlighting the rise of brazen violent extremism in Canada.
Arya shared a video of the attack on X and wrote, "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 Khalistani violent extremism has become in Canada."
A red line has been crossed by Canadian Khalistani extremists today.
— Chandra Arya (@AryaCanada) November 3, 2024
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.
I begin to feel… pic.twitter.com/vPDdk9oble
"I begin to feel that there is a small grain of truth in the reports that in addition to Canadian political apparatus, Khalistanis have effectively infiltrated into our law enforcement agencies," he said.
"The Canadian Member of Parliament further expressed concerns that Khalistani extremists are taking advantage of Canada's freedom of expression laws, and are receiving a "free pass."
"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 assert their rights and hold politicians accountable," Arya wrote.
The Indian High Commission in Ottawa also condemned the attack. In a post on X, the Indian High Commission in Ottawa in a statement 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 recent attack adds to a string of similar incidents documented in recent years, underscoring a distressing trend of religious intolerance.
In July, Arya had voiced deep concern over the violence directed at Hindu-Canadian communities. In a post on X, he wrote, "The Hindu temple BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir in Edmonton is vandalised again. During the last few years, Hindu temples in the Greater Toronto Area, British Columbia, and other places in Canada are being vandalised with hateful graffiti."
Notably, last year, a Hindu temple in Windsor suffered defacement with anti-India graffiti, sparking widespread condemnation and calls for action from both Canadian and Indian officials. Earlier incidents in Mississauga and Brampton saw temples similarly targeted, drawing strong reactions from the Indian community in Canada.
In India, Manjinder Singh Sirsa, the National Secretary of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), expressed deep disturbance over the incident. Writing on X (formerly Twitter), Sirsa called the attack a “heinous religious crime,” adding that such acts violate the principles of justice and are in direct conflict with Sikh teachings. Sirsa quoted Guru Nanak Dev Ji, “Dora te maseet ik, pooja te namaz soi,” emphasizing the unity of places of worship. He condemned those using Sikh symbols and attire to justify their actions, warning that these extremists are tarnishing the Sikh community’s global reputation.
I am deeply disturbed by the recent attack on Hindu devotees at a temple in Canada by extremist elements and I strongly condemn this heinous religious crime. This not only violates the principles of justice but also goes against the teachings of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, “Dora te maseet… pic.twitter.com/PKGa5CDcdU
— Manjinder Singh Sirsa (@mssirsa) November 4, 2024
Sirsa further appealed to the Jathedar of Akal Takht Sahib, the highest authority of Sikhism, to condemn this violence formally and issue directives against any form of aggression on religious institutions. He lamented that the attack damages the Sikh diaspora’s hard-earned respect in countries like Canada, the USA, and the UK, where they have historically been admired for their dedication and contributions.
Alok Kumar, International President of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), echoed Sirsa’s sentiments, noting that this attack was not an isolated event. He explained that Hindu temples in Greater Toronto, British Columbia, and Brampton have seen similar incidents. According to Kumar, these recurring attacks reflect a troubling trend within Canada, driven by Canada’s political reliance on certain factions of the Sikh community that sympathize with the Khalistan movement.
Kumar called attention to the inconsistency between Trudeau’s recent words of support for the Hindu community during Diwali on October 31 and his administration’s actions. He criticized Trudeau’s reliance on Khalistani-supporting MPs to maintain his political position, describing the situation as an “open alignment” with extremist factions. Kumar urged the Canadian government to protect its Hindu citizens and allow them to practice their religion without fear. “Canada’s core values of democracy, rule of law, and secularism are being compromised,” he asserted.
Transport Minister Anita Anand (of Indian origin) also condemned the attacks, reaffirming that all religions have the right to worship safely in Canada. Her statement emphasized the commitment to safeguarding religious freedoms for Hindus and others, underscoring that the assault on the Brampton temple contradicts Canada’s values.
Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown expressed his disappointment, stating that religious freedom is foundational to Canadian society. “Everyone should feel safe in their place of worship,” he said. He reassured the public that police would take every action within their authority to ensure peace and bring the perpetrators to justice.
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