Sri Muktsar Sahib (Punjab) [India]: Amid the clamour over the attack on Hindus in Canada, Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu on Monday accused Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of creating divisions among different communities in the country.
“The news reports coming in over the past few days, the situation that has formed in Canada do not pertain one particular religion. Be it Hindu or Sikh, PM Trudeau has divided everyone there,” Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu said.
Bittu criticized both those advocating for pro-Khalistan slogans and the Canadian police for their support, stating that the Indian Government will respond to the situation with a more decisive action.
“Khalistanis came outside religious places to disturb people in festive season. Their Police seem to be standing in support of Khalistanis…These will not be tolerated. We will move against the Govt of Canada, wherever we have to approach…These people who are raising Khalistani slogans are on their payroll,” Bittu said.
Criticizing the attack on Hindus in Canada and terming it to be “unfortunate”, Congress leader Rashid Alvi said that the Indian Government needs to work in improving its relations with Canada to pacify the situation.
“Attacking a temple or religious place is unfortunate. The Government there (in Canada) is responsible for this. But India’s relations have soured so much that we can’t do anything else except recalling the diplomats and registering a protest. So, I would like to tell the Government that misunderstanding with Canada Government should be resolved and an effort should be made to improve our relations with Canada so that such incidents do not occur. Khalistanis there have always said things like this. But we can stop them only if we have good relations with Canada & we are able to put pressure on the Govt there. Today, we can’t even pressure the Govt there,” Congress leader Rashid Alvi said.
The incident occurred on Sunday (local time) outside a consular camp organised in collaboration with the Hindu Sabha Mandir in Brampton, near Toronto.
The Indian High Commission in Canada has condemned the “violent disruption” by ‘anti-India’ elements outside a consular camp in Brampton and raised concerns over the safety of Indian nationals in the country.
The incident occured on Sunday (local time) outside a consular camp organised in collaboration with the Hindu Sabha Mandir in Brampton, near Toronto.
The High Commission said that any further events will be organised “contingent on security arrangements” made by the local authorities.
“We have seen violent disruption today (Nov 3) orchestrated by anti-India elements outside the consular camp co-organised with the Hindu Sabha Mandir, Brampton, near Toronto,” the statement by the High Commission.
The Indian mission said it is “deeply disappointing” that such disruptions “being allowed” for routine counsular work.
“It is deeply disappointing to see such disruptions being allowed for routine counsular work being organised by our consulated with the fullest cooperation of the local co-organizers. We also remain very concerned for the safetry of applicants, including Indian nationals, on whose demand such events are organized in the first place,” the statement added.
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.
The incident sparked widespread criticism in and outside Canada.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also 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, Trudeau wrote, “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 post added.