Rising Extremist Violence in Canada Targets Hindu Temples: Brampton Mandir Faces High Threat
Ottawa, Canada:
Under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s leadership, Canada has seen a disturbing rise in extremist violence, with the Hindu community, particularly those of Indian origin, being targeted by Khalistani extremists. Hindu temples and religious centers across the country are increasingly facing escalating threats.
One of the most recent incidents involved the Triveni Mandir and Community Centre in Brampton, a city with a significant Indian-origin population. The temple was forced to cancel an event due to an “exceptionally high level of violent protests,” according to local authorities. The event, a consular camp for the Indian community to renew life certificates, was scheduled for November 17 but was called off for safety reasons.
The temple’s administration issued an official statement, which read, “We regret to inform that the Life Certificate Event at Brampton Triveni Mandir, organized by the Indian Consulate on November 17, 2024, has been canceled due to an extremely high and imminent threat of violent protests, as advised by Peel Regional Police.”
These consular camps, organized by Indian diplomatic missions, provide essential services to Indian nationals, such as life certificate renewals. The cancellation, though necessary to ensure public safety, has caused deep dismay within the community. The temple administration expressed its sorrow, stating, “We apologize to all those who were counting on the event. It is heartbreaking that Canadian citizens no longer feel safe visiting Hindu temples in Canada.”
Recent Attacks on Hindu Temples in Canada
This recent threat follows a troubling pattern of attacks on Hindu temples across Canada. Just earlier this month, a Hindu temple in Brampton was also targeted, escalating concerns about the safety of places of worship. The Government of India has strongly condemned these violent acts, urging Canadian authorities to take more effective measures to protect religious institutions. Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal emphasized, “We expect that those responsible for these attacks will be held accountable, and that all places of worship will receive proper protection.”
In another troubling incident, a consular camp in Toronto was canceled due to security concerns after violent disruptions at a Hindu temple. Despite previous requests from the Indian High Commission for enhanced security, these attacks continue to undermine the safety of Indian citizens attending these events.
Indian Government Condemns the Violence
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has condemned the violent targeting of Hindu temples in Canada, calling the attacks “deliberate” and “cowardly.” He stated, “I strongly condemn the deliberate attacks on Hindu temples in Canada. Equally disturbing are the cowardly attempts to intimidate our diplomats. Such acts of violence will never break India’s resolve. We expect the Canadian government to ensure justice and uphold the rule of law.”
The Indian government has called for immediate action to protect the Hindu community in Canada and prevent further violence. This is not the first instance of such attacks, with previous incidents in Windsor, Ontario, and Brampton prompting widespread demands for greater security at religious sites.
As tensions rise, the Indian community in Canada is urging the Canadian government to take urgent and decisive steps to ensure the safety of Hindu temples and places of worship. The ongoing threats have raised concerns about the growing impact of extremist ideologies within the country and the need for stronger safeguards to protect religious freedoms.
