Canada alerts India on tensions at consular camps held near places of worship
Hindustan TimesToronto: Canadian law enforcement had written to India’s Consulate in Toronto warning about tensions rising at locations where consular camps were being held at places of worship. Members of the Indo-Canadian community stage a protest outside the Alberta legislature in Edmonton, Canada, on Thursday According to a report in the outlet Globe and Mail, Peel Regional Police chief Nishan Duraiappah, in a letter sent on Tuesday to India’s Acting Consul General in Toronto, said, “It is our assessment that the location of consular camps in proximity to these religious facilities may be a factor contributing to heightened tensions at these gatherings.” The letter was sent after the violent attack on the Hindu Sabha Mandir in Brampton by pro-Khalistan elements on Sunday, which was hosting a consular camp at the time. In a statement, the Consulate said, “In view of the security agencies conveying their inability to provide minimum security protection to the community camp organizers, Consulate has decided to cancel some of the scheduled consular camps.” Camps are being organised elsewhere including in Edmonton, in Alberta the coming weekend. It added, “This rising Hinduphobia, fueled by violent Khalistanis & other extremist forces, pose a grave threat to Canada’s democratic values and the safety of all communities.” Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, his Canadian counterpart Justin Trudeau, as well as opposition leader Pierre Poilievre, also condemned the attack.