“Deeply disappointing”: India “concerned” after violent attack on temple in Canada disrupts consular camp
| 2024-11-04
Representative image.
The Canadian authorities had been requested well in advance to provide strong security measures for these events, says the Indian High Commission
India has described as “deeply disappointing” the violent attack on a temple in Brampton, Canada which disrupted a consular camp being held on Sunday (November 3, 2024). The Indian High Commission in Ottawa stated it remains “very concerned for the safety of applicants, including Indian nationals” amid such efforts by “anti-India elements”.
There were attacks on similar camps organised in Vancouver and Surrey on November 2-3, 2024, the High Commission said.
The Indian High Commission's statement comes amid ongoing diplomatic tensions between India and Canada sparked by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's allegations of Indian involvement in the killing of Khalistani separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar last year. India, which had designated Nijjar as a terrorist, has consistently rejected the charge, calling them “absurd” and “politically motivated”.
"As in previous years, the High Commission of India in Ottawa and Consulates General of India in Vancouver and Toronto have organized/plan consular camps during this period, for the benefit and ease of local life certificate beneficiaries (Canadian and Indian). On account of the prevailing security situation in Canada, the Canadian authorities had been requested well in advance to provide strong security measures for these events, which constitute routine consular work," the High Commission said in a statement shared on social media platform X, formerly Twitter.
"We have seen violent disruption today (Nov 3) orchestrated by anti-India elements outside the consular camp co-organized with the Hindu Sabha Mandir, Brampton, near Toronto. It is deeply disappointing to see such disruptions being allowed for routine consular work being organized by our Consulates with the fullest cooperation of local co-organizers,” the statement noted.
The High Commission added they also remained “very concerned” for the safety of applicants, including Indian nationals, on whose demand such events are organized in the first place. Despite these efforts by anti-India elements, the Consulate was able to issue more than 1,000 life certificates to the Indian and Canadian applicants, the High Commission stated.
The Indian High Commission maintained that holding similar consular camps scheduled for later would be dependent on the security provided by local authorities.
“In case any camp is infeasible to be held due to such disruptions, alternative arrangements will be made to render those services, which may unfortunately inconvenience local users of these services," the High Commission noted.
The Canadian Prime Minister has, meanwhile, responded to the attack on the temple and described it as "unacceptable". "The acts of violence at the Hindu Sabha Mandir in Brampton today are unacceptable. Every Canadian has the right to practice their faith freely and safely. Thank you to the Peel Regional Police for swiftly responding to protect the community and investigate this incident," Trudeau said in a post on X.
There were attacks on similar camps organised in Vancouver and Surrey on November 2-3, 2024, the High Commission said.
The Indian High Commission's statement comes amid ongoing diplomatic tensions between India and Canada sparked by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's allegations of Indian involvement in the killing of Khalistani separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar last year. India, which had designated Nijjar as a terrorist, has consistently rejected the charge, calling them “absurd” and “politically motivated”.
"As in previous years, the High Commission of India in Ottawa and Consulates General of India in Vancouver and Toronto have organized/plan consular camps during this period, for the benefit and ease of local life certificate beneficiaries (Canadian and Indian). On account of the prevailing security situation in Canada, the Canadian authorities had been requested well in advance to provide strong security measures for these events, which constitute routine consular work," the High Commission said in a statement shared on social media platform X, formerly Twitter.
"We have seen violent disruption today (Nov 3) orchestrated by anti-India elements outside the consular camp co-organized with the Hindu Sabha Mandir, Brampton, near Toronto. It is deeply disappointing to see such disruptions being allowed for routine consular work being organized by our Consulates with the fullest cooperation of local co-organizers,” the statement noted.
The High Commission added they also remained “very concerned” for the safety of applicants, including Indian nationals, on whose demand such events are organized in the first place. Despite these efforts by anti-India elements, the Consulate was able to issue more than 1,000 life certificates to the Indian and Canadian applicants, the High Commission stated.
The Indian High Commission maintained that holding similar consular camps scheduled for later would be dependent on the security provided by local authorities.
“In case any camp is infeasible to be held due to such disruptions, alternative arrangements will be made to render those services, which may unfortunately inconvenience local users of these services," the High Commission noted.
The Canadian Prime Minister has, meanwhile, responded to the attack on the temple and described it as "unacceptable". "The acts of violence at the Hindu Sabha Mandir in Brampton today are unacceptable. Every Canadian has the right to practice their faith freely and safely. Thank you to the Peel Regional Police for swiftly responding to protect the community and investigate this incident," Trudeau said in a post on X.
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