Canada: Indian consulate cancels camps over security concerns; temple suspends priest

In a new development after violence that broke out in a Hindu temple in the Canadian city of Brampton, the Consulate General of India in Toronto on Thursday (November 7) cancelled some of its scheduled consular camps.

The camps were cancelled because the Canadian security authorities conveyed their inability to provide minimum security protection to its organisers, said the Consulate General of India.

This comes even as a priest belonging to the Hindu temple in Brampton has been suspended for spreading "violent rhetoric" during recent clashes between protesters carrying Khalistani flags and the people present there.

On November 3, protestors carrying Khalistani flags had violently disrupted a consular event co-organised by the Hindu Sabha temple in Brampton and the Indian Consulate. This led India to condemn the attack with an expectation that those indulging in violence "will be prosecuted".

A few days later, the Consulate General of India said in a post on X that "in view of the security agencies conveying their inability to provide minimum security protection to the community camp organisers, the Consulate has decided to cancel some of the scheduled consular camps".

Also read: Temple attack proves Canada giving space to ‘extremist forces’: Jaishankar 

Priest suspended

On Wednesday (November 6), a statement from the Hindu Sabha Mandir said the priest has been suspended due to his "controversial involvement" with protesters on Sunday. The temple authorities but did not elaborate further, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation reported.

However, taking to X, Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown said the priest spread "violent rhetoric," and he requested the community not to respond to violence and hate.

"This is leadership that is helpful. The vast majority of Sikh Canadians and Hindu Canadians want to live in harmony and don’t tolerate violence. Hindu Sabha Mandir President Madhusudan Lama has suspended the pundit who spread violent rhetoric. The Ontario Sikhs and Gurdwara Council denounced the acts of violence at the Hindu Sabha on Sunday night," Brown said in the post.

Further, Brown wrote in the post, "Remember we all have more in common than what divides us. In tense times, we can’t let the agitators fuel the flames of division. The leadership of both Sikh and Hindu communities in the GTA do not want this division, hate and violence. I am asking everyone in the community to not respond to violence and hate. Law enforcement will be there to respond. This is their job. We must continue to be the country where the rule of law is followed." 

Also read: Strongly condemn deliberate attack on Hindu temple in Canada, says PM 

The clash

On November 3, the protest occurred at the Hindu Sabha temple in Brampton when members of a group called Sikhs for Justice held a protest while Indian consular officials were visiting.

Unverified videos circulating on social media appeared to show demonstrators holding banners in support of Khalistan. The protestors clashed with people and disrupted the consular event.

The videos also showed fist fights and people striking each other with poles on what appears to be the grounds surrounding the temple. According to Peel police, officers were dispatched to the property around noon.

The incident was condemned by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau who said every Canadian has the right to practise their faith freely and safely.

In a statement, the ministry of external affairs said that New Delhi remains "deeply concerned" about the safety and security of Indian nationals in Canada.

Also watch: How serious is the Khalistani attack on Hindu devotees

Relations between India and Canada

The relations between India and Canada came under severe strain following Prime Minister 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".

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. 

(With inputs from agencies)