- By Nidhi Giri
- Sat, 09 Nov 2024 11:00 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Amid the ongoing diplomatic row with India, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has admitted for the first time the presence of Khalistanis in his country, quickly adding that they do not represent the Sikh community as a whole. Trudeau made these remarks during Diwali celebrations at Ottawa's Parliament Hill on November 5.
"There are many supporters of Khalistan in Canada, but they do not represent the Sikh Community as a whole. Similarly, there are supporters of Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi's government in Canada, but they do not represent all Hindu Canadians," Trudeau said.
Trudeau's Statement:
The Canadian PM's remarks came days after a Hindu temple in Brampton was attacked by Khalistani extremists. A pro-Khalistani mob attacked a group of devotees, including women and children, at a Hindu Temple in Canada on November 3. The video of the incident shows fist fights and people striking each other with poles on what appears to be the grounds surrounding the Hindu Sabha Mandir temple. This incident disrupted a consular event co-organised by the Hindu Sabha Mandir and the Indian consulate.
On Wednesday, Trudeau broke his silence over recent incidents of violence in the country. However, Trudeau did not talk about the attack on a Hindu temple in Brampton by Khalstani extremists. While addressing Parliament, the Canadian PM said that those who participated in the violence did not represent the country's Hindu or Sikh community.
In his address, Trudeau did not mention about Khalistani groups and tagged both Hindus and Sikhs as South Asian communities. "The violence we have seen in South Asian communities across the country over the past few nights, let me be very clear. The individuals who are inciting violence and division and hatred in no way represent either the Sikh community or the Hindu community in Canada," Trudeau said.
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PM Modi Condemns Attack On Hindu Temple:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday rebuked the deliberate attack on the Hindu devotees inside a temple premises in Canada's Brampton, allegedly perpetrated by the Khalistani extremists. In a post on X, PM also condemned the continued attempts to intimidate Indian diplomats in the North American country.
His reaction followed an earlier response by the Ministry of External Affairs, which chided the extremists and radicals for the attack and called on the Canadian government to ensure the safety and security of the Indian diaspora and Indian nationals residing in the country.
"I strongly condemn the deliberate attack on a Hindu temple in Canada. Equally appalling are the cowardly attempts to intimidate our diplomats," PM Modi wrote in a post on social media platform X.
PM Modi demanded action by the Trudeau government in the case, asking it to uphold the rule of law.
"Such acts of violence will never weaken India’s resolve," the PM added. "We expect the Canadian government to ensure justice and uphold the rule of law."
India-Canada Diplomatic Row:
The diplomatic ties between India and Canada deteriorated last year in September after Trudeau alleged India's involvement in Khalistani extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar's killing. However, India rejected these charges as "absurd". So far Canada has not shared any evidence backing its allegations.
India expelled six Canadian diplomats and withdrew its high commissioner Sanjay Verma and other "targeted" officials from Canada after strongly dismissing Ottawa's charges.
India has been maintaining that the main issue between the two countries is that of Canada giving space to pro-Khalistan elements operating from Canadian soil with impunity.