The Wire Staff 
New Delhi: A day after a violent incident occurred in the grounds surrounding a Hindu temple in Canada’s Brampton, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday (October 4) that he “strongly condemn[ed] the deliberate attack on a Hindu temple”.
“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,” Modi added in a statement on X.
The Indian High Commission in Ottawa claimed in a statement that the violence was perpetrated by “anti-India elements” at the Hindu Sabha Mandir in Brampton near Toronto and said it occurred during a consular camp to help local life certificate beneficiaries.
Although the statement does not identify Khalistanis by name, a CBC report notes that videos circulating on social media appear to show demonstrators holding banners in support of Khalistan.
The videos also show “fist fights and people striking each other with poles,” the CBC report says.
Modi’s statement condemning the violence is his first to directly address a Canada-related issue ever since relations between India and Canada turned frosty last year.
The downturn in ties came after Ottawa alleged an Indian government role behind the murder of pro-Khalistan separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian Sikh, in Canada. Recently, Canada has said that India – including Union home minister Amit Shah – is behind several incidents of violence in Canada. India has denied this.
Modi last made an X post about Canada in July, saying he “met” his Canadian counterpart Justin Trudeau on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Italy. He had previously acknowledged a congratulatory message from Trudeau after the Lok Sabha election in June.
In his X post addressing Sunday’s violence in Brampton, Trudeau said it was “unacceptable”.
“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,” he posted on X.
The MEA has meanwhile condemned what it called were “acts of violence perpetrated by extremists and separatists at the Hindu Sabha Temple in Brampton, Ontario yesterday.”
“We call on the Government of Canada to ensure that all places of worship are protected from such attacks. We also expect that those indulging in violence will be prosecuted. We remain deeply concerned about the safety and security of Indian nationals in Canada. The outreach of our Consular officers to provide services to Indians and Canadian citizens alike will not be deterred by intimidation, harassment and violence,” it said.
It was earlier reported that police in Brampton were probing the violence.
Peel Regional Police chief Nishan Duraiappah posted on X saying that while cops “respect the right to protest in a peaceful and safe manner,” they will “not tolerate violence and criminal acts.”
“Those that do participate in this activity will be pursued, arrested and charged,” Duraiappah said.
In its statement, the Indian high commission also said that Canadian authorities had been asked to provide strong security for its consular camp.
“As in previous years, the High Commission of India in Ottawa and Consulates General of India in Vancouver and Toronto have organized/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.”
The statement said that it is “deeply disappointing to see such disruptions being allowed for routine consular work being organized by our Consulates with the fullest cooperation of local co-organizers.”
“We also remain very concerned for the safety of applicants, including Indian nationals, on whose demand such events are organized in the first place,” the Indian high commission said, adding that there were attempts to disrupt similar camps held in Vancouver and Surrey on November 2-3.
Several other Canadian politicians and public representatives have also condemned the violence, including Brampton mayor Patrick Brown, premier of Ontario Doug Ford, Conservative party leader Pierre Poilievre and New Democratic Party leader Jagmeet Singh.
The Indian high commission further noted in a statement that “in light of these incidents, and with the continued threats posed to the Indian diplomats and officials, local venue organizers as well as local attendees, organization of further scheduled consular camps will be contingent on security arrangements made for them by local authorities.”
Note: This report was updated to reflect the MEA’s and Modi’s responses.