A video has surfaced online in which Hindu temple goers can be seen accusing Canadian law enforcement personnel, who were deployed outside the Hindu Sabha Temple in Brampton to maintain order, of using force and "assaulting" them.
A pro-Khalistani mob attacked a group of devotees, including women and children, at a Hindu Temple in Canada on Sunday. The video of the incident shows fist fights and people striking each other with poles on what appears to be the grounds surrounding the Hindu Sabha Mandir temple. This incident disrupted a consular event co-organised by the Hindu Sabha Mandir and the Indian consulate.
The Peel Police personnel were deployed outside the temple to maintain order as pro-Khalistani sympathisers attacked Hindu temple goers. However, in a video shared by Daniel Bordman on X, Peel Police personnel can be seen using force on temple goers. According to Bordman, the security personnel, "punched" and "beat them with batons". However, Times Now Digital could not independently verify the authenticity of the video.
In the video, a woman can be seen pointing out an officer, accusing him of assaulting and targeting only Hindu community members. As the situation escalated, the crowd chanted "take him out" and "get out," with tensions running high outside the temple grounds.
Brampton Attack Sparks Massive Outrage, Trudeau Condemns
The incident in Brampton has sparked massive outrage with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau - who is largely seen as being soft on Khalistani supporters - also condemning the incident. "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," Trudeau said.
He hailed swift action by the local authorities. "Thank you to the Peel Regional Police for swiftly responding to protect the community and investigate this incident," Trudeau said in a post on X on Monday. Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown condemned the violence in a post on X Sunday afternoon, saying those responsible should be punished to the greatest extent of the law.
Canada's Opposition leader Pierre Poilievre said, "Completely unacceptable to see violence targeting worshippers at the Hindu Sabha Mandir in Brampton today. 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."
'Red Line Has Been Crossed,' Canadian MP Criticises Trudeau Government
Canadian MP Chandra Arya, who has often expressed concern about the threat by Khalistani radicals, responded strongly, stating that Khalistani extremists had "crossed a red line". "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 has Khalistani violent extremism has become in Canada," Arya said. The MP also tweeted a video of the incident.
India Condemns Attack
The temple was hosting a consular camp, co-organised by the High Commission of India, when the incident occurred. The Indian High Commission in Canada condemned the "violent disruption" by 'anti-India' elements and raised concerns over the safety of Indian nationals in the country.
"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," read the statement by the High Commission.
The Indian mission said it is "deeply disappointing" that such disruptions "being allowed" for routine consular work, adding that similar incidents of disruption during a consular camps held in Vancouver and Surrey on November 2 and 3.
'Canada Giving Space To Pro-Khalistani Elements': India
The attack comes amid the ongoing diplomatic standoff between India and Canada, while India has been maintaining that the main issue between the two countries is that of Canada giving space to pro-Khalistan elements operating from Canadian soil with impunity.
The relations between the two countries came under severe strain following Canadian PM Justin Trudeau's allegations in September last year of a "potential" involvement of Indian agents in Khalistan extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar's killing. New Delhi rejected Trudeau's charges as "absurd". As the row escalated, India expelled six Canadian diplomats and withdrew its high commissioner Sanjay Verma and other "targeted" officials from Canada.
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