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

A violent attack by Sikh extremists at a Hindu temple in Canada where Indian diplomats were present shows that “political space” in that country is being given to “extremist forces”, external affairs minister S Jaishankar said on Tuesday (November 5).

"Do look at the video (of the attack). I think that will tell in a way the political space which is being given to extremist forces there," he told the media in Canberra in the company of his Australian counterpart Penny Wong.

The minister is on an official visit to Australia from November 3-7.

Jaishankar flays Canada

Jaishankar took strong exception to the widely-condemned incident at Brampton where protesters carrying Khalistani flags clashed with people at the Hindu Sabha temple on Sunday.

Also read: Canadian cop who took part in pro-Khalistan protest at Hindu temple suspended

They disrupted a consular event co-organised by the temple authorities and the Indian Consulate. Video footage showed the Sikhs assaulting even women and children at the venue.

Jaishankar accused Canada of developing a pattern of making allegations without providing specifics, and said it was unacceptable to India that its diplomats were under surveillance in that country.

Modi denounces attack

India has called upon Canada to prosecute and punish those who carried out the attack at Brighton.

On Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi strongly condemned the “deliberate attack on a Hindu temple in Canada. Equally appalling are the cowardly attempts to intimidate our diplomats.

“Such acts of violence will never weaken India’s resolve,” he added.

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

India-Canada ties hit

Relations between Canada and India have become very strained ever since Ottawa blamed Indian agents for the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian citizen designated a terrorist by New Delhi.