Stoking Divisions Trudeau Style

"[The attack on a Hindu temple in Canada over the weekend was an] appalling [attempt at intimidation]."

"Such acts of violence will never weaken India's resolve."

"We expect the Canadian government to ensure justice and uphold the rule of law."

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi

 

"The attack by Khalistanis on the Hindu-Canadian devotees inside the premises of the Hindu Sabha temple in Brampton shows how deep and brazen Khalistani violent extremism has become in Canada."

Liberal MP Chandra Arya  

 

"[India's a lot more cooperative with the U.S.,] and I think that's telling of Canada and maybe something we need to take more seriously."

"I'm not sure dealing with the diplomatic tensions that came with this [Trudeau's pandering to Sikh-Canadian separatists] are potentially worth it. I think that's telling of Canada and maybe something we need to take more seriously."

"I think leaving it up to the Mounties [RCMP] and the intelligence agencies, that certainly could have been done."

Rupinder Lidar, PhD student, McGill University

Members of Brampton’s Hindu community hold a rally at the Hindu Sabha temple Monday. Peel police say they issued a public safety alert after some participants were wielding weapons at the demonstration. (Evan Mitsui/CBC)

 

Last Sunday while Indian consular officials were at a Hindu temple in Brampton, violence suddenly erupted, ending with three people arrested and charged by Peel Regional Police. Demonstrators carrying banners in support of a separate Sikh portion of India named Khalistan clashed with Hindu-Canadians, some of whom held India's national flag aloft. The Khalistani movement is held by India to be illegal and a threat to its sovereignty. Khalistanis are thought of as terrorists in India, some of whom have been convicted of serious crimes in their zeal for separatism.

Videos in circulation on social media show fist fights, with opposing groups striking one another with poles, on the grounds around the Hindu temple. Police are investigating "several acts of unlawfulness" in connection with the protests.According to India's Ministry of External Affairs, the temple had been attacked by "extremists and separatists", asking the government of Canada to protect all places of worship. "Anti-India elements" orchestrated "violent disruption" outside a consular camp in Brampton on November 3, the Indian High Commission in Ottawa posted on X.

Since last fall when Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stood in the House of Commons and accused the Indian government of being involved in the killing of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Alberta, both countries have been in a deep diplomatic freeze with one another. More latterly, each country ejected the other's diplomats. Additionally, a top Canadian official claimed that Indian Home Minister Amit Shah authorized a campaign of violence, intimidation and intelligence gathering against Sikh separatists in Canada.

 

A large crowd gathered at the Hindu Sabha Mandir temple in Brampton on Monday. Nick Lachance/Toronto Star file photo

"I can't see how it's helped [Justin Trudeau informing a federal enquiry into foreign interference that Indian agents are playing a role in widespread violence in Canada, including killings, all of which India denies]."

"It's a really grave and serious accusation. There has to be an investigation. It has to be completed ... But I think the fact that senior political leaders have gotten involved makes it harder to find a resolution, certainly publicly."

"I imagine there are back-channel discussions going on at the highest level to the extent that that's possible"

"But publicly, there's a standoff and an impasse between the two governments. [Diplomatic relations between Canada and India] are in the deep freeze."

"India has consistently refuted these allegations and tensions have escalated. [When leaders including Trudeau and Modi wade in, it] ups the ante. [That's] going to incentivize both governments to really stick to their positions, at least publicly."

Sanjay Ruparelia, associate professor of political science, Toronto Metropolitan University

On Monday night hundreds of protesters marched in close proximity to the temple until police dispersed them. Weapons had been observed in the possession of the protesters. Police announced the arrest of three people related to Sunday's violence. In British Columbia three protesters were arrested at a Hindu temple in Surrey. 

"This kind of fanned the flames for a lot of people who have existing anti-immigrant sentiments or they feel that immigration in Canada has gone too far."

"That we've imported issues from the other world here."

"It's kind of given them a leg to stand on with those arguments."

 Rupinder Liddar

A crowd gathers outside Hindu Sabha Mandir temple Sunday evening, hours after a protest outside the temple prompted a police investigation. The temple has reinstated a priest who had been suspended for his involvement in a clash with protesters, according to a statement Thursday. (Britnei Bilhete/CBC)