Massive protests broke out outside the Canadian embassy in New Delhi following a brutal attack on a Hindu temple in Brampton, Canada. On November 3, a group of Hindu devotees, including women and children, were targeted by Khalistani extremists, who attacked them with sticks outside the Hindu Sabha temple. This attack has sparked outrage among the Hindu community and led to widespread calls for action.
The protests in Delhi were organised by the Hindu Sikh Global Forum, which represents both Hindu and Sikh communities. The group gathered outside the Canadian High Commission, demanding accountability for the attack and highlighting the growing violence against Hindus in Canada.
The Delhi Police, however, increased security in the area and stopped the demonstrators, who raised strong slogans against the escalating violence from Khalistani extremists. The police action did not stop the protesters from voicing their concerns, which were widely covered by news agencies.
The attack in Brampton has drawn significant condemnation from around the world. Tarvinder Singh Marwah, the President of the Hindu Sikh Global Forum, condemned the attack and called it part of a larger pattern of violence aimed at the Hindu and Sikh communities.
Marwah noted the history of violence and disruption that has impacted the community, including a period of militancy that led to the deaths of many and the migration of others.
"An entire generation had been destroyed during militancy. They were either killed or they migrated to other countries. Then they introduced drugs to ruin the life of our young generation," Marwah said in an interview with the media.
He also spoke about the ongoing efforts to disrupt the unity of the community, which included attempts at forced religious conversions. "And now this new thing of attacking temples has started. This is wrong and unfortunate," Marwah added. He reiterated that the Hindu and Sikh communities stand united and will not tolerate attacks on their places of worship.
The protesters in Delhi also made it clear that they do not support the demand for Khalistan, stating that true Sikhs are patriots and respect the Indian tricolour. "A true Sikh can never be a Khalistani," Marwah said.
"If they want a separate nation, they should keep it limited to themselves. We want our tricolour and our country to be respected at all times. India's Sikhs stand with India and do not support Khalistan."
The timing of these protests is significant, coming at a time of growing diplomatic tensions between Canada and India. The Canadian government, led by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, has recently alleged that India may have been involved in the killing of Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a Khalistani terrorist who had been designated by India. New Delhi has denied these allegations, calling them "absurd" and "motivated."
As a result, Canada recently named Indian High Commissioner Sanjay Verma, along with five other diplomats, as "persons of interest" in the case. India responded by recalling all six diplomats, marking a significant escalation in the already tense relations between the two countries.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar strongly criticised Canada's handling of the situation, accusing the country of turning a blind eye to individuals with links to organised crime while welcoming them into its fold. Jaishankar further stated that India had warned Canada about such individuals, but these warnings had been ignored.
In the midst of these diplomatic tensions, the attacks on Hindu temples in Canada, including the Brampton incident, have only added fuel to the fire. The protesters in Delhi, through their demonstration, have sent a clear message to the Canadian government: that such attacks will not be tolerated, and that the Hindu and Sikh communities in India stand united against Khalistani extremism.
Follow us
