The incidents in Canada mark a significant escalation in diplomatic dispute with India and underline the challenges faced by diaspora communities caught in the crossfire of international politics
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s statements on alleged Indian government interference in Canada may have fueled recent violent clashes between Sikh and Hindu communities in Brampton, Ontario, and Surrey, British Columbia. Trudeau’s public stance contrasts starkly with how the United States has managed similar foreign interference claims and has led to heightened tensions within Canada’s Indian diaspora, experts note, reported nationalpost.com.
Trudeau had informed Parliament last year that Indian government agents were allegedly involved in the murder plot against Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a pro-Khalistan Sikh leader who was shot outside a British Columbia temple on June 18, 2023. Last month, he reiterated his claim at a federal inquiry into foreign interference, stating that India’s agents are implicated in violence across Canada. The Indian government has consistently denied these allegations.
The public nature of Trudeau’s accusations complicates the possibility of resolving the dispute diplomatically, according to Sanjay Ruparelia, a political science professor at Toronto Metropolitan University. “It’s a serious accusation that requires a thorough investigation,” Ruparelia said, emphasizing the impact of senior political leaders taking such a stance. He believes that while back-channel discussions may be underway, public relations between the two governments remain at an impasse.
The strained relations have now spilled into community tensions within Canada. On November 3, violence erupted at the Hindu Sabha Mandir in Brampton, where protesters clashed in scenes captured on video. The following night, hundreds of demonstrators marched near the temple before police intervened, noting that weapons were present and subsequently arresting three individuals.
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