"Such acts of violence will never weaken India’s resolve."
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned what he called a “deliberate attack” on a Hindu temple in Canada.
Modi blamed Sikh activists for the violent clash at a time of escalating diplomatic tensions between the two countries.
Unverified social media videos showed demonstrators protesting outside Brampton’s Hindu Sabha Mandir temple. Indian diplomats were visiting ahead of Diwali celebrations.
Protesters seek to have a separate homeland for Sikhs established and some of them were seen holding yellow Khalistan flags.
As tensions rose, isolated fights broke out.
On X, Prime Minister Modi stated:
“I strongly condemn the deliberate attack on a Hindu temple in Canada. Equally appalling are the cowardly attempts to intimidate our diplomats.
“Such acts of violence will never weaken India’s resolve.
“We expect the Canadian government to ensure justice and uphold the rule of law.”
Canada’s Peel Regional Police said on November 4, 2024, that three people had been “arrested and criminally charged” following the attack.
A 43-year-old man was charged with causing a disturbance and assaulting a peace officer.
A 23-year-old man was also charged with assault with a weapon, and a 31-year-old man was charged with mischief.
The force said “several acts of unlawfulness continue to be actively investigated” by its officers.
Police said they are aware of a video of an off-duty police officer participating in a demonstration. The officer has been suspended, and police are investigating.
India’s Foreign Ministry said “extremists and separatists” were behind the violence, calling on the Canadian government to “ensure that all places of worship are protected from such attacks”.
Meanwhile, the North America-based activist group Sikhs for Justice described the incident as an “unprovoked violent attack on peaceful pro-Khalistan demonstrators”.
There is a deepening diplomatic row between India and Canada.
Canada has implicated Indian officials in plots to intimidate and even kill Canadian Sikhs.
Canadian officials have stated there is evidence of a broad Indian campaign of intimidation, violence and other threats against Khalistan activists.
The Indian government has vehemently rejected these and other allegations.
The fractured relationship between Canada and India has raised questions about its potential impact on trade and immigration ties.
Bilateral trade is worth billions of pounds and could be at risk if relationships further fracture.
While neither country has imposed tariffs or other economic sanctions, experts caution that this could change.
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