Prime Minister Narendra Modi issued a strong condemnation on Monday evening, addressing the recent attack on a Hindu temple in Brampton, Ontario. The incident, which occurred last week, saw men breach the gates of the temple while a consular camp was being held by the Indian High Commission. Modi denounced the act as a “deliberate attack,” adding that “such acts of violence will never weaken India’s resolve.”
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.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 4, 2024
Criticism of Attempts to Intimidate Diplomats
The Prime Minister also condemned “cowardly attempts” aimed at intimidating Indian diplomats in Canada. In his social media post on X, Modi urged the Canadian government to ensure justice and uphold the rule of law, calling for the protection of Indian diplomats and places of worship. Hours earlier, the External Affairs Ministry (EAM) echoed these sentiments, condemning the actions of “extremists and separatists” involved in the incident.
India’s Call for Accountability and Protection
EAM spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal expressed deep concerns about the safety of Indian citizens in Canada. Jaiswal called on Canadian authorities to prosecute those responsible for the violence and ensure adequate security for places of worship. His statement came after a clash between protesters and police following the attack, with videos showing an officer assaulting a protester. The High Commission, meanwhile, expressed disappointment, noting that it had requested enhanced security measures prior to the consular camp due to safety concerns.
Canadian Government and Leaders React Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also condemned the violence, as did Indo-Canadian MP Chandra Arya, who called the attack a “red line” crossed. Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown voiced his support for punishing those responsible to the “greatest extent of the law.” This incident adds tension to the already strained India-Canada relations, which have suffered since Canada’s unverified allegations that Indian agents were involved in the killing of Hardeep Nijjar, a Khalistan activist whom India classifies as a terrorist.
Ongoing Diplomatic Strains and Cybersecurity Allegations Diplomatic tensions have worsened with two rounds of reciprocal expulsions of diplomats. On Saturday, Ottawa further fueled tensions by naming India as a potential cyberthreat, alleging state-sponsored espionage against Canada—an accusation India dismissed firmly. These allegations follow Canada’s earlier accusation that India orchestrated Nijjar’s death in Vancouver in 2023, which India has repeatedly denied.
Past Attacks on Temples in Canada This recent incident echoes previous attacks on Hindu temples in Canada. In 2022, a temple in Windsor, Ontario, was vandalized, sparking demands for action from both Canadian and Indian officials. Similar attacks on Brampton temples have previously drawn strong reactions from the Indian diaspora, leading to widespread calls for enhanced security and accountability from Canadian authorities.
