Canadian PM Trudeau condemns violence at Hindu temple in Brampton

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has condemned a violent incident at the Hindu Sabha Mandir temple in Brampton, where alleged Khalistani extremists clashed with devotees on Sunday.

Videos circulating on social media show demonstrators holding banners in support of Khalistan, leading to fistfights and individuals striking each other with poles on the temple grounds.

Peel Regional Police stated they were aware of the protest and had increased their presence to maintain public order and safety. Chief Nishan Duraiappah emphasised the department's stance, saying, “We respect the right to protest in a peaceful and safe manner but will not tolerate violence and criminal acts.”

In a post on X, Trudeau remarked, “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 Hindu Canadian Foundation, a non-profit organisation advocating for the Hindu community, reported that children and women were among those targeted in the altercation. They stated, “This is all happening under the support of Khalistani politician sympathisers”

Recently relations between India and Canada have deteriorated as both countries expelled each other's top diplomats amid an ongoing dispute regarding the killing of a Sikh activist in Canada.

Canada announced it had identified India’s top diplomat as a person of interest in an assassination plot of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, leading to the expulsion of him and five other diplomats on. In retaliation, India rejected these accusations as absurd and expelled Canada’s acting high commissioner along with five other diplomats.

India denies minister plotted anti-Sikh attacks in Canada

India has officially rejected allegations that Home Minister Amit Shah was involved in plotting to target Sikh activists in Canada, calling Canada's claims "absurd and baseless.

The tension between the two countries has escalated, particularly as Canada hosts the largest Sikh community outside of India, including activists associated with the Khalistan movement—a fringe separatist group seeking an independent state for Sikhs within Indian territory.

Canadian officials have previously accused India of orchestrating the 2023 killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a 45-year-old Canadian citizen and prominent Khalistan campaigner in Vancouver.

This week, Canada reported that it had traced a broader campaign against Canadian Sikh activists to the highest levels of the Indian government, implicating Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s influential aide.

India's rebuttal comes amidst rising diplomatic strains, further complicating relations between the two nations.