Khalistani radicals recently attacked a Hindu Sabha temple in Brampton, Canada. Opposition leader Pierre Poilievre, Toronto MP Kevin Vuong, and MP Arya were among the many Canadian politicians who condemned the incident. An MP from Toronto stated, "Our nation's authorities have failed to defend Hindus."
The incident has added to growing concerns within the Indian community in Canada, which has witnessed a surge in reported instances of harassment, threats, and vandalism targeting Hindu places of worship and individuals over the past year. Many attribute these attacks to rising pro-Khalistan sentiments among a faction within the Sikh diaspora. Leaders within the Hindu community have warned that these actions not only fuel fear but threaten the otherwise peaceful coexistence of various immigrant communities in Canada.
In New Delhi, the Ministry of External Affairs expressed its grave concern over the incident, urging Canadian authorities to ensure the safety and security of Indian nationals and Hindu community members. A senior official from the ministry commented, "The Government of India expects immediate and stern action from Canadian authorities to address this disturbing trend. We are closely monitoring the situation and will take all necessary steps to safeguard the interests of our citizens abroad."
Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his administration, already facing scrutiny over their stance on Khalistan activities within the country, are likely to face heightened pressure to take a firmer approach to countering pro-Khalistan extremism. While Canada has championed multiculturalism and freedom of expression, Indian government officials and community leaders argue that extremist actions and hate-motivated violence should not be tolerated.
In response to the incident, Hindu and Sikh community leaders have called for unity, stressing the importance of dialogue and cooperation. Community activists are organizing a peace vigil to condemn the violence and to demonstrate solidarity among different cultural and religious communities in Canada.
"Violence is not the way to resolve any grievances," said Gurpreet Singh, a local Sikh leader. "We urge our community members to respect the diversity that has made Canada a great nation and to reject any form of violence that divides us."