Expect Canadian government to ensure justice & uphold rule of law: PM Modi on Hindu temple attack

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday strongly condemned the deliberate attack on a Hindu temple in Canada and asserted that India expects the Canadian government to ensure justice and uphold the rule of law.

"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," PM Modi said in a post on X.

Earlier on Monday, the Ministry of External Affairs ( MEA) also condemned the "acts of violence perpetrated by extremists and separatists" at the Hindu Sabha Temple in Brampton in the Canadian province of Ontario and called on the Justin Trudeau government to ensure that all places of worship in the country are adequately protected.

"We call on the Government of Canada to ensure that all places of worship are protected from such attacks. We also expect that those indulging in violence will be prosecuted," the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randir Jaiswal said during a presser.

The strong statement came after a protest by Khalistani extremists near the Hindu Sabha Temple in Brampton escalated into violence on Sunday, with attendees of the temple reportedly attacked.

Following the attacks, the Hindu Canadian Foundation, a non-profit organisation working for the Hindu community in Canada shared a video of the attack on the temple and said that the Khalistani terrorists attacked kids and women.

According to the video, a group of Khalistani extremists held a protest that was met with a counter-protest by a group displaying Indian flags in opposition to the extremists' ideology.

Tensions quickly escalated, resulting in violent clashes between the two groups. As the situation intensified, the Khalistani extremists reportedly began attacking members of the opposing group, who attempted to flee the scene. Many sought refuge inside the Hindu Sabha Temple, leading to an attack on the temple premises.