Brampton, Canada — In a spirited response to the violent assault on Hindu devotees at the Hindu Sabha temple over the weekend, thousands of Indian-Canadians took to the streets of Brampton in protest on Monday. This demonstration marked a significant mobilization against a fringe group of Khalistani extremists, who are accused of enjoying undue tolerance from the Canadian government under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
The protests, coordinated by the Coalition of Hindus in North America, showcased a broad coalition of support spanning various communities, including Sikhs, Hindus, Jews, Christians, and Iranians. This collective outcry highlighted the communal solidarity against the aggressors who targeted the temple, denouncing the act as an affront to all religious communities.
Canadian journalist Daniel Bordman shared insights from the scene, describing the event as an unprecedented wake-up call for the Hindu community, traditionally reticent in its public demonstrations. “This is kind of an awakening,” Bordman said.
The unrest in Brampton escalated with participants blocking roads and expressing strong disapproval of the local police response to the attack. Accusations pointed at Peel Police suggested a biased handling of the violent episode, critiques echoed in slogans raised during the street marches.
A significant theme among the protestors was the clear distinction they made between the Khalistani attackers and the broader Sikh community. “Sikhs are our brothers. The Khalistanis are not Sikhs,” one protester emphasized, aiming to clarify the difference to the general public and dispel any notions of broad communal tensions.
Further complicating the narrative, another protester highlighted personal experiences with aggressive Khalistani rhetoric even in places of worship, underscoring the tension within communities over the issue. “While attending the Sikh temple, I was told to support Khalistan, which I declined,” the protestor recalled, underscoring the divisive nature of the Khalistani agenda.
Observers note that the Trudeau administration’s handling of the issue has drawn sharp criticism, particularly in light of the upcoming 2025 general election where the liberal party’s reliance on certain vote banks might influence political stances. Critics accuse Trudeau of pandering to extremist elements for electoral gains, potentially at the cost of community harmony.
Satirist and commentator Kamlesh Singh criticized the oversimplified portrayal of the conflict as merely Sikh versus Hindu friction, stressing that the true conflict lies between peaceful citizens and a radical fringe: “For sanity’s sake, it’s not Sikhs vs Hindus in Canada. It’s Sikhs + Hindus vs a bunch of Canadian nuts who happen to be of Indian origin supported by some Canadian politicians,” Singh explained.
With the Canadian daily Toronto Sun highlighting the issue under the headline ‘A Land Divided’, and political voices like Union Minister of State Railway & Food Processing Industries Ravneet Singh Bittu openly condemning Trudeau’s actions, there’s a growing consensus that the incident could signify deeper political and social undercurrents.
This protest illustrates the resolve of the Indian diaspora in Canada, standing united against elements they believe are undermining both their safety and their cohesion. By standing together in Brampton, the community sent a clear message that it will not be divided by extremist ideologies or political maneuvering.