Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau denounced recent violence at the Hindu Sabha Mandir in Brampton, near Toronto, describing it as “unacceptable.” The incident occurred during a protest where clashes reportedly broke out, and some leaders attributed the unrest to Sikh activists supporting the Khalistan movement, which seeks a separate Sikh homeland in India’s Punjab region.
Heavy Police Presence Maintains Calm as No Arrests Are Made
Local police in Brampton deployed a significant presence to ensure safety and calm outside the temple during the protest. A spokesperson for Peel Regional Police confirmed that no arrests were made, and the police have not assigned responsibility for the violence. Video footage circulating on social media showed individuals holding Khalistan flags engaging in clashes with people carrying Indian flags, with isolated fistfights breaking out.
Lawmaker Blames Khalistani Activists, Calls for Action
Federal Liberal Party lawmaker Chandra Arya, a member of Trudeau’s party, pointed to “Khalistanis” as responsible for the violence. In a social media post, Arya described the incident as a “red line” crossed by “Canadian Khalistani extremists,” emphasizing what he sees as the growing issue of “Khalistani violent extremism” within Canada.
Strained Canada-India Relations Following Activist’s Death
The incident comes amid already tense relations between Canada and India, following Trudeau’s accusations that the Indian government orchestrated the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a naturalized Canadian and prominent Khalistan advocate, in Vancouver in 2023. Canada has since claimed that India is behind a broader campaign against Sikh activists in Canada, involving alleged intimidation and violence. India has rejected these allegations, and both countries recently expelled each other’s diplomats in a diplomatic standoff.
