In his first statement since Canada-related controversy began, Prime Minister Narendra Modi issued a very strong statement after Khalistani extremists targeted a Hindu temple in Ontario yesterday evening. Making it quite clear that the PM’s stance for Indians across the world, Modi said,“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,” the prime minister posted on X.
The strong condemnation by the prime minister comes after the Hindu Sabha temple in Canada’s Brampton came under attack by pro-Khalistani extremists. It is the first statement by PM Modi since the diplomatic tensions between India and Canada erupted last September.
Videos on social media showed pro-Khalistan extremists clashing with devotees outside the temple in Brampton. Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau too condemned the attack on Hindu temple, but did not call out pro-Khalistani elements who have been carrying out provocative acts in his regime.
Prime Minister Modi also called out Ottawa after some members of Indian consular staff were put under video and audio surveillance by the Canadian authorities. The government has also outrightly rejected Canada’s allegations against Union home minister Amit Shah.
Justin Trudeau, who has already been put on notice by his Liberal Party MPs, is yet to provide evidence to substantiate his allegations of an Indian government involvement in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who was gunned down last year.
Instead, Canada’s House of Commons observed “moments of silence” for the slain Khalistani terrorist Nijjar this year to mark the first anniversary of his killing.
In October, the Canadian authorities provoked India by naming the Indian High Commissioner Sanjay Verma as a“person of interest” in their probe into Nijjar’s killing.
New Delhi retaliated by summoning Ottawa’s Charge d’Affaires and lodging a strong protest, before withdrawing the Indian envoy and expelling six Canadian diplomats.
