NEW DELHI: A tense situation prevailed outside the High Commission of Canada in New Delhi on Sunday as hundreds of members of the Hindu Sikh Global Forum staged a protest in Chanakyapuri against the recent attacks and vandalism of Hindu temples in Canada.
Heavy security was deployed outside the High Commission and the protesters were stopped at Teen Murti Marg by the police. Several activists were seen attempting to climb over the police barricades and toppling them.
“An entire generation had been destroyed during militancy. They were either killed or they migrated to other countries. Then they introduced drugs to ruin the life of our young generation. When they saw Punjab was thriving, they started with religious conversions. And now this new thing of attacking temples has started. This is wrong and unfortunate … We are here to tell you that we are all together. A true Sikh can never be a Khalistani. If they want a separate nation, they should keep it limited to themselves. We want our Tricolour and our country to be respected at all times. India’s Sikhs stand with India and do not support Khalistan,” said Tarvinder Singh Marwah, president of the Hindu Sikh Global Forum.
The protest was a direct response to a series of violent incidents targeting Hindu temples in Canada, particularly an attack on November 3 at the Hindu Sabha Mandir in Brampton. The incident allegedly involved pro-Khalistani extremists who clashed with Hindu-Canadian devotees, resulting in physical violence and injuries.
The situation has drawn condemnation from both Indian officials and Canadian politicians, highlighting concerns over rising anti-Hindu sentiment in Canada.
Khalistani link
Following the attack, massive protests erupted outside the Brampton temple, with demonstrations also taking place in Mississauga. A Canadian police officer, Harinder Sohi, was suspended for participating in a pro-Khalistan protest where anti-India slogans were chanted.
Canadian authorities have so far arrested four people in connection with the violence and demonstrations. Inderjeet Gosal, a top official of the Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), a banned organisation in India, has also been arrested.
Gosal, who was an associate of slain Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, has been charged with assault with a weapon.
In response to the ongoing violence in Canada, officials of the external affairs ministry have condemned the attacks and urged Canadian authorities to ensure the safety of Indian nationals and places of worship.
External affairs minister S. Jaishankar described the attacks and vandalism as “deeply concerning”, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed expectations for justice from Canadian law enforcement.
Bilateral 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)
