Khalistani extremists attacked devotees outside Hindu Sabha Temple in Brampton, Canada on Nov 03. A massive crowd gathered outside the Hindu Sabha Mandir in Brampton, Canada on Nov 04. Protestors stood in solidarity with the temple and the community after the Khalistani attack. Protestors also canted the “Har Har Mahadev” slogan to express their solidarity among Canadian Hindus. The organisers of the solidarity rally pressed Canadian politicians to not give further support to Khalistanis. India expressed its deep concern about extremism and the culture of violence and anti-India activities in Canada. Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong condemned the attack on the Hindu Temple in Brampton, Canada.
In a powerful show of solidarity, over a thousand Hindus from across Canada gathered in Brampton on Monday night, rallying outside the Hindu Sabha Mandir to condemn the rising tide of violence against their community. The protest came in response to a violent clash at the temple the day before, where a group of pro-Khalistani extremists attacked worshippers during the Diwali weekend. This latest incident has sparked outrage and concerns over the safety of Hindus in Canada, with many calling for stronger action from both local authorities and the Canadian government.
The Attack at Hindu Sabha Temple
On Sunday, the peaceful Diwali celebrations at the Hindu Sabha Temple in Brampton were marred by violence when a group of individuals carrying Khalistani flags clashed with templegoers. Videos of the incident, which quickly went viral, showed protesters waving pro-Khalistan banners and engaging in physical confrontations with devotees. Several worshippers were reportedly assaulted with sticks, and there were reports of assaults on police officers as well.
The Peel Regional Police have made three arrests in connection with the violence, charging the suspects with assault with a weapon and assaulting an officer. While the police have acted, the broader question of safety for Hindu communities in Canada has become a central issue.
Rising Concerns Among Canadian Hindus
The Coalition of Hindus in North America (CoHNA), the group behind the Brampton solidarity march, has been vocal about the growing number of attacks on Hindu temples and the increasing sense of vulnerability among Hindu Canadians. The CoHNA condemned the attack, calling it part of a disturbing trend of escalating violence against Hindus, particularly during religious festivals like Diwali. They pointed to similar attacks on temples across Canada over the past several years, describing the violence as “Hinduphobia” that needs to be urgently addressed.
“Over a thousand Canadian Hindus have gathered in Brampton to protest against the increasingly brazen attacks on Hindu Temples,” CoHNA posted on X (formerly Twitter). “Yesterday, during the sacred Diwali weekend, Canadian Hindu temples, coast to coast, came under attack. We ask Canada to stop this Hinduphobia now!”
Political Leaders Respond
The attack on the Hindu Sabha Temple has garnered widespread condemnation from Canadian politicians across the spectrum. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau condemned the violence, reiterating that every Canadian has the fundamental right to practice their faith in peace. However, Trudeau’s failure to specifically call out the perpetrators as pro-Khalistani extremists has drawn criticism. Many believe his response reflects a reluctance to address the broader issue of growing Khalistani separatism in Canada, which has been a point of contention between India and Canada for some time.
Opposition leaders, including Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre, were more direct in their condemnation. Poilievre emphasized that violence against religious communities should never be tolerated, tweeting, “Completely unacceptable to see violence targeting worshippers at the Hindu Sabha Mandir in Brampton today. All Canadians should be free to practice their faith in peace. Conservatives condemn this violence unequivocally.”
Similarly, Toronto Member of Parliament Kevin Vuong decried what he described as Canada’s growing reputation as a “safe harbour for radicals.” He noted that while the country had failed to protect Hindus, it had also been slow to safeguard other minority communities, including Jews and Christians, from violence. Vuong’s strong words highlighted a growing concern among some members of the political class that Canada’s tolerance for extremist groups may be putting its own citizens at risk.
Diplomatic Tensions Between India and Canada
The attack on the Hindu temple comes at a time of heightened diplomatic tension between India and Canada, particularly over the issue of Khalistani separatism. In September 2023, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made headlines when he linked Indian government agents to the assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Khalistani sympathizer and terrorist. India strongly condemned the allegations, labeling Nijjar a terrorist and accusing Canada of providing a haven for pro-Khalistani elements.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the attack on the Hindu temple in Brampton, expressing deep concern over the rise of Khalistani extremism in Canada. He called on Ottawa to ensure justice and take decisive action against those responsible for the violence. “I strongly condemn the deliberate attack on a Hindu temple in Canada,” Modi said. “Such acts of violence will never weaken India’s resolve.”
India’s Ministry of External Affairs also issued a statement, urging Canadian authorities to ensure the protection of religious minorities and to take immediate steps against the rising tide of extremism.
A Growing Challenge for Canadian Authorities
As the Khalistani movement continues to gain a foothold among certain segments of the Sikh diaspora in Canada, the country faces mounting pressure to confront the issue of violent extremism more forcefully. While Canada prides itself on being a multicultural society that upholds freedom of speech and religion, the recent surge in violence targeting Hindu temples suggests that this ideal is being challenged by radical elements.
Several Canadian MPs, including Chandra Arya, have now called the situation a “red line” crossed by Khalistani extremists. Arya, who represents the Ottawa area, voiced his concern in a video shared on X, calling the violence a dangerous escalation of Khalistani extremism. “The attack by Khalistanis on the Hindu-Canadian devotees inside the premises of the Hindu Sabha temple in Brampton shows how deep and brazen Khalistani violent extremism has become in Canada,” he stated.
The Road Ahead
In the wake of the Brampton attack, the solidarity march and protests serve as a reminder of the growing sense of insecurity felt by Hindu Canadians. The rally was not only a condemnation of the attack but also a call for increased vigilance and action by Canadian authorities. Protestors have urged local politicians to ensure that such violence is not tolerated and that Canada upholds its commitment to religious freedom for all faiths.
As tensions between India and Canada continue to rise, the international community will be watching closely to see how the Canadian government responds to these calls for stronger action against extremist violence and hate crimes. For the Hindu community in Canada, the hope is that this incident will mark a turning point in the fight for safety, justice, and the right to practice their faith without fear of attack.
