New Delhi/Ottawa: Prime Ministers Narendra Modi of India and Justin Trudeau of Canada condemned the outbreak of violence on Sunday at a Hindu temple in Brampton, a suburb of Toronto. The incident occurred as diplomatic tensions between the two countries continue to escalate.
Videos circulated on social media showing clashes involving flagpoles and physical altercations, although the sequence of events remains unclear, and Reuters could not independently verify the footage.
This incident comes just weeks after Ottawa expelled six Indian diplomats, linking them to the 2023 killing of a Sikh separatist leader in Canada. Canada has accused the Indian government of a broader campaign against South Asian dissidents on Canadian soil—allegations that New Delhi firmly denies.
According to police reports, protests were held at multiple locations in the region. Sikh activists indicated that one demonstration took place at a Hindu temple, where pro-Khalistan activists protested against the presence of Indian diplomats. Another protest reportedly occurred at a Sikh temple. The term “Khalistan” refers to a proposed independent Sikh state that activists seek to establish from India’s Punjab region.
Local authorities, the Peel Regional Police, have pressed charges against three men in connection with the violent clashes. A 43-year-old man faces charges for causing a disturbance and assaulting a peace officer, a 23-year-old man is charged with assault with a weapon, and a 31-year-old man is charged with mischief. Police also noted that an off-duty officer seen participating in a protest has been suspended pending investigation.
Also Read | Trump Vows to Impose Tariffs on Mexico and China Over Fentanyl Crisis if Elected
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the incident in a statement on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), condemning the violence. “I strongly condemn the deliberate attack on a Hindu temple in Canada. Equally appalling are the cowardly attempts to intimidate our diplomats,” Modi wrote. He added that “such acts of violence will never weaken India’s resolve” and urged the Canadian government to “ensure justice and uphold the rule of law.”
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also voiced his disapproval, stating on Sunday that these “acts of violence” are “unacceptable”.
The diplomatic strain between India and Canada intensified recently, with India accusing Trudeau of using the situation for political leverage. In response to Canada’s expulsion of Indian diplomats, New Delhi expelled six Canadian diplomats from India.
Also Read | Russia’s Soyuz Rocket Launches 55 Satellites, Including Iranian Imaging Units
The North American-based group Sikhs for Justice issued a statement asserting that “pro-Khalistan Sikhs who were peacefully demonstrating … were violently attacked by a group of Indo-Canadians.”
Meanwhile, Indian media outlets reported that the incident involved an attack on an Indian consular camp set up at the temple venue. India’s foreign ministry labeled the perpetrators as “extremists and separatists” and expressed “deep concern” over the safety of Indian nationals in Canada.
