Weeks after Ottawa removed six Indian diplomats, which New Delhi has denied, for their involvement in the murder of a Sikh separatist leader in Canada, the violence broke out.
At a time when diplomatic tensions between India and Canada are rising, the prime ministers of both nations denounced the violence that erupted at a Hindu temple close to Toronto.
Social media videos seemed to show individuals punching and slapping each other with flagpoles in the Brampton, Toronto, suburb on Sunday.
Who started the violence was unknown, and Reuters was unable to independently confirm what transpired.
The event occurred shortly after six Indian diplomats were expelled by Ottawa for their involvement in the 2023 murder of a Sikh separatist leader in Canada. New Delhi disputes its accusations that the Indian government is waging a widespread campaign against South Asian dissidents in Canada.
Without giving any other information, the local police stated on Monday that three people were charged with crimes related to the demonstration on Sunday.
“Several acts of unlawfulness continue to be actively investigated,” the police stated in a statement.
intense denunciations
On Monday, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a strong-worded remark regarding X.
“I vehemently denounce the intentional assault on a Canadian Hindu temple. Modi stated, “The cowardly attempts to intimidate our diplomats are equally appalling.”
“India’s determination will never be weakened by such violent acts. “We anticipate that the Canadian government will maintain the rule of law and guarantee justice,” he stated.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada, his equivalent, declared on Sunday that the “acts of violence” were intolerable.
India has replied to Ottawa’s expulsion of its ambassadors by dismissing six Canadian diplomats, accusing Trudeau of pursuing a “political agenda” in their disagreement.
Sikhs for Justice, an activist group located in North America, claimed on Sunday that “a group of Indo-Canadians violently attacked pro-Khalistan Sikhs who were peacefully demonstrating.”
According to Indian media, the violence targeted an Indian consulate camp at the location.
Remaining “deeply concerned about the safety and security of Indian nationals in Canada” is the statement made by the foreign ministry.
