Two Temples In Canada Cancel Indian Consular Camps Amid Fears Of ‘Violent Protests’

Ottawa: Two Hindu temples have cancelled a Life Certificate event of the Indian consular camps amid fears of an ‘extremely high level of violent protests’.

The consular camps were to be held at Toronto Kali Bari and Brampton Triveni Mandir and Community Centre on November 16 and November 17, respectively, where Indian-origin Hindus and Sikhs were supposed to renew essential life certificates.

The Triveni Mandir issued a statement announcing the cancellation. “Please be advised that the Life Certificate Event scheduled at Brampton Triveni Mandir by the Indian Consulate on November 17, 2024, has been cancelled. This is due to official intelligence from Peel Regional Police, stating that there is an Extremely High and Imminent Threat Level of violent protests,” a statement released by the temple administration read.

The authorities appologised to the community members who were depending on the event.  They further called on the Peel Police to address the threats being circulated against Brampton Triveni Mandir. They also urged the police to provide security guarantees to the Canadian Hindu Community and the general public.

Earlier on November 3, a similar camp at the Hindu Sabha Temple in Brampton had witnessed a “violent disruption”. Pro Khalistani supporters had allegedly attacked Hindus there. The incident was condemned by both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Canadian counterpart, Justin Trudeau.

The ties between India and Canada hit rock bottom after Canadian leaders alleged without providing evidence about the involvement of Indian officials in the killing of a pro-Khalistani leader, Hardeep Singh Nijjar, on their soil.