Clashes near a Hindu temple | Indian Prime Minister denounces clashes in Canada

(Ottawa) Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the violence which broke out on Sunday near a Hindu temple visited by consular representatives from New Delhi – acts which were also denounced by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and which come three weeks after another diplomatic clash between the two countries.

“I strongly condemn the deliberate attack on a Hindu temple in Canada. Equally appalling are the cowardly attempts to intimidate our diplomats,” read the Indian leader’s X account on Monday.

“Such acts of violence will never weaken India’s resolve. We expect the Canadian government to guarantee justice and uphold the rule of law,” he added.

Prime Minister Modi is referring to the clashes that broke out on Sunday near a Hindu temple in Brampton, a suburb of Toronto. Videos posted on social media show clashes between people flying the yellow Khalistan flag and others waving India’s national flag.

Unsurprisingly, the affair caused a stir in the Indian media: on Monday morning (in Canada), it was on the headlines of Hindustan Timesof Times of India andIndia Today, to name only these English-language publications.

The Hindustan Times highlights on its website its rewriting of an article published in the National Postwhere former federal Liberal Minister of Health Ujjal Dosanjh takes a dig at Justin Trudeau for his handling of the Sikh issue in Canada.

“The pro-Khalistan do not form a majority [au sein de la communauté sikhe au Canada]and if no one speaks against them, it is out of fear,” says the former Sikh politician. And the current Prime Minister is an “idiot” when it comes to understanding how to “build a nation,” asserts Mr. Dosanjh.

Unanimous convictions

Prime Minister Trudeau quickly condemned Sunday’s violence.

“The violent acts committed today at the Hindu Sabha Temple in Brampton are unacceptable,” he wrote on social media.

“Every Canadian has the right to practice their faith freely and in complete safety,” he insisted, thanking the police for having “reacted quickly” and opened an investigation.

His conservative opponent Pierre Poilievre described these gestures as “totally unacceptable”.

“All Canadians should be free to practice their faith in peace. Conservatives unequivocally condemn this violence. I will unite our people and end the chaos,” he wrote in English on X.

New Democratic leader Jagmeet Singh, of Sikh faith, joined his voice to this concert of disapproval on the same platform.

“I unequivocally condemn the acts of violence perpetrated at the Sabha Hindu temple. Violence, wherever it occurs, is wrong. I join community leaders in calling for peace,” he said.

The group Sikhs for Justice declared that supporters of Khalistan, this independent state that Sikh separatists wish to see born in India, were protesting against the presence of officials from the Indian consulate, according to The Canadian Press.

“A red line crossed”, according to a liberal

Sunday’s clashes shocked a Liberal elected official from Nepean, near Ottawa.

“A red line was crossed by Canadian Khalistani extremists today,” lamented Chandra Arya in a message covering a video allegedly filmed at the scene.

This shows “how bold and brazen Khalistani violent extremism has become,” he argued, arguing that pro-Khalistanists have infiltrated both Canadian politics and law enforcement.

It is therefore “no surprise” that by virtue of freedom of expression, “the extremists of Khalistan obtain a free pass in Canada”, also argued the MP.

A few days earlier, Chandra Arya participated in the raising of the Hindu flag in front of the Center Block of Parliament to mark Hindu Heritage Month in Canada.

A new relationship tile

These events occur approximately three weeks after the expulsion, on both sides, of six diplomats.

Canada showed the door to the high commissioner (the ambassador, for Commonwealth countries) and five other diplomats because of their possible involvement in criminal activities.

The Indian government has categorically denied the allegations put forward by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), swearing to have seen no evidence on the subject.

India views pro-Khalistan activism as a national security issue.