Extremist Nutjobs Attack Hindu Temple in Canada

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Three men have been arrested and charged after violence broke out between pro-Khalistani extremists and Indian protesters at a series of demonstrations and clashes in Brampton and Mississauga in Ontario, Canada, on November 3rd.

The accused include a 23-year-old man from Brampton charged with assault with a weapon, a 31-year-old man from Mississauga charged with mischief over 5,000 Canadian dollars, and a 43-year-old man also from Mississauga charged with causing disturbance and assaulting a peace officer. 

Peel Regional Police said in a statement issued on November 4th that a fourth person was arrested on an unrelated and outstanding warrant but was later released. The report also said a police officer was treated at a hospital for minor injuries. 

The violence first broke out in the Hindu Sabha Mandir in Brampton, Ontario, a Hindu place of worship, where Indian consulate officials were in attendance. Police officers were dispatched to the area around noon on November 4th. 

Videos circulated on social media show demonstrators holding banners in support of Khalistan, a proposed independent Sikh homeland in northern India, violently clashing with other individuals, including some carrying the Indian national flag. Various clips of the incident also showed fistfights and people striking each other with poles. 

Later, demonstrators made their way to Westwood Mall in neighboring Mississauga, according to the World Sikh Organization of Canada. A third protest was shortly held outside the Malton gurdwara, a Sikh place of worship in Mississauga. 

Social media posts of the third protest appear to show several dozen people gathering near the gurdwara, with some holding the Indian national flag. 

"Although these demonstrations occurred at three different locations, they appear to be related to one another. Several incidents between protestors and worshippers broke out," Peel Regional Police said in their release. 

The attack drew condemnations from leaders across Canada. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau strongly denounced the attack, calling it "unacceptable” and emphasizing the right of every Canadian to practice their faith freely and safely.

"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," Trudeau wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter).

"Thank you to the Peel Regional Police for swiftly responding to protect the community and investigate this incident," Trudeau added.

The incident also prompted India’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, to issue a rare comment when tensions between Canada and India escalated. Modi strongly condemned the “deliberate attack" and said New Delhi expects Ottawa to uphold the rule of law and ensure justice.

“I strongly condemn the deliberate attack on a Hindu temple in Canada. Equally appalling are the cowardly attempts to intimidate our diplomats. Such acts of violence will never weaken India’s resolve. We expect the Canadian government to ensure justice and uphold the rule of law," Modi posted on X.

Modi’s statement came after India’s Ministry of External Affairs issued its statement denouncing the attack at the Hindu Sabha Temple in Brampton.

“We call on the Government of Canada to ensure that all places of worship are protected from such attacks. We also expect that those indulging in violence will be prosecuted. We remain deeply concerned about the safety and security of Indian nationals in Canada," the ministry’s spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in response to questions by the media regarding the incident.

Ties between India and Canada have been severely strained following the murder of Khalistani extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia, where Trudeau accused India of being involved in the assassination through the use of agents sent to kill Nijjar. 

India denied the accusations, calling them "absurd" and "motivated.” The Indian government, in turn, accused Canada of giving space to pro-Khalistan extremists and organizations and allowing them to operate in the country with impunity.

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