Opinion | Canadian Police: Keepers of the Peace or Hating Bystanders?

Last Update:06 November 2024 16:10 IST

By failing to hold violent Khalistani extremists accountable, Canadian authorities have sent a chilling message: Intimidation and violence against Hindus can be tolerated if done under the guise of dissent and freedom of expression.

In one of the clips, a police officer is seen attacking a protester and punching him repeatedly. (Screenshot via X/@DanielBordmanOG)

On a quiet Diwali weekend, two temples that have long been symbols of peace for Canada’s Hindu diaspora became flashpoints of violence. At the Hindu Sabha Mandir in Brampton, where a 50-foot tall statue of Lord Hanuman stands majestically, the sanctity of worship was violently interrupted. Around the same time, a similar desecration occurred in Surrey, but with a disturbing development: Rather than providing protection against violence, Canadian police reportedly turned their backs on the devotees they were sworn to protect.

This saga of escalating aggression against Canada’s Hindu community points to a growing discord in which anti-Hindu loyalties and violent extremist ideologies find combustible harmony. These incidents call into question not only the role of Canadian authorities in keeping the peace, but also the apparent lack of justice in the face of growing extremism against Hindus. The events are symptomatic of a broader problem that Canada is dangerously fueling under the guise of neutrality.

The Hindu Sabha Mandir in Brampton stands as a symbol of spiritual and cultural unity for the Hindu community, with its towering statue of Hanuman serving as a proud reminder of the ancient heritage on Canadian soil. However, as Indian consular officials visited the temple to provide routine services, scenes of unrest emerged, disturbing the peace of the temple. Khalistani extremistsIn line with the banned Sikhs for Justice extremist group, he staged a violent protest that turned into open aggression against templegoers.

Video footage shared on social media captured the harrowing moments when Hindu devotees were attacked, beaten and faced with big sticks by extremists. The aggressive violence of these extremists was an unprovoked attack on a peaceful community practicing their sacred practices. Sikhs for Justice, a group with known ties to Pakistan and a history of terrorism linked to the violent Khalistani separatist movement, had publicly expressed their desire to disrupt consular services outside official buildings, claiming these events posed a “threat” to the Khalistani cause.

Peel Regional Police is responsible for overseeing law enforcement in bramptonThey faced harsh criticism for their response, or lack thereof. Despite widespread violence, no arrests were made; Many say this decision reflects a worrying tolerance. Peel Police issued a brief statement promising to “investigate any acts of violence or threats,” but no charges have been laid to date. This inaction stands in stark contrast to the force’s rapid response to similar examples of disorderly behavior in other communities.

For Hindu Canadians, these events highlight a disturbing trend. Liberal MP Chandra Arya condemned the incident and noted what he described as a “free pass” given to Canadian Khalistani extremists. He noted: “These extremists enjoy a degree of immunity that raises serious questions about Canada’s commitment to protecting its citizens equally.”

Across the country, a gathering of Hindu devotees at a temple in Surrey faced intimidation from Khalistani extremists who similarly operate with impunity in Canada. As people of all ages came together to pray, Khalistanis came up with loaded slogans remembering Hardeep Singh Nijjar, the notorious Khalistani extremist who was recently killed under murky circumstances. Far from being a peaceful protest, the event quickly turned threatening, with calls for Hindus to “go back to their country”.

But what emerged next was perhaps more disturbing than the protest itself. As tensions escalated, members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) intervened; but this was not to protect threatened Hindu worshipers. Instead, in an action that left the Hindu community in shock and disbelief, the RCMP detained three Hindu devotees, who were then removed from the temple grounds in full view of the protesters who had incited the incident. The reason for these detentions was not disclosed, but the message was clear: The victims of the threat were portrayed as criminals.

This police action caused many to question the impartiality of the RCMP. At a time when Hindus in Canada felt increasingly vulnerable, the police response was inadequate or complicit. Law enforcement intervening with Hindu Canadians rather than protecting them fostered deep resentment and fear. A local temple spokesman appealed for calm, reminding the community to await further information, but the underlying fear was palpable. The reluctance of Canadian officials to protect Hindus or even acknowledge the intimidation they face has revealed a chasm in the justice system on which they must rely.

The Indian High Commission in Ottawa issued a statement expressing disappointment at the violence that was allowed to mar routine consular activities. “Like previous years, the Indian High Commission and the Consulates General of India have planned consular camps to assist local living certificate beneficiaries during this period,” the statement said. The statement was included. However, despite clear advance warnings and requests for increased security, Canadian officials were unable to prevent Khalistani’s disruption. This dereliction of duty has left Hindus in Canada beyond questioning the country’s commitment to ensuring the safety of all religious communities.

Diplomatic tensions between Canada and India, sparked by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, have escalated in recent months as baseless accusations fueled the dispute. But Canada’s handling of these events points to something more insidious: the normalization of extremism under the guise of freedom of expression. Canada appears to be combating, or perhaps choosing not to confront, a deeply ingrained bias in its approach to law enforcement when it comes to Khalistani sympathizers. India’s high commission was left with few options other than reminding Canadian officials of their duty to protect citizens and consular staff engaged in routine activities. But the community they represent feels abandoned, subjected to aggression without recourse to justice.

As Canada’s Hindu diaspora ponders this violence, a disturbing truth emerges: Their homeland may be an ocean away, but the conflicts it faces appear to have followed them to Canada’s shores. Devotees who sought refuge in Canada, a country that once promised peace and security, now find themselves targeted, harassed and abandoned by a system that appears unwilling to defend their rights. There is a bitter irony in these attacks: Canada’s famous multiculturalism, once a source of pride, has been weaponized against the very people it claims to protect. As Canadian officials continue to walk the line between neutrality and neglect, Hindu Canadians wonder whether their place in this country is as safe as they once believed.

While the events at Brampton’s Hindu Sabha Mandir and Surrey temple may seem isolated to some, for Canada’s Hindu community they amount to a deep-seated, systemic attack that has been going on for far too long and has now led to a deep collapse. in confidence. These incidents are part of a worrying trend across Canada where Hindu temples are increasingly becoming targets of intimidation, vandalism and violence. In January 2023, the Swaminarayan Temple in Toronto was defaced with anti-India and pro-Khalistan graffiti, marking one of the first signs of targeted harassment.

Just a few months later, in February 2023, the Gauri Shankar Temple in Brampton suffered a similar attack; vandals left hateful messages that many in the community viewed as direct threats. In July 2023, Bhagavad Gita Park in Brampton, a public space created to celebrate Hindu heritage, was desecrated with anti-Hindu and anti-India slogans. Each incident has contributed to a growing sense of insecurity among Canada’s Hindu population, with places of worship once havens of peace becoming symbols of vulnerability. This ongoing pattern of attacks, along with perceived police inaction or complicity, has eroded community trust and called into question Canada’s commitment to equally protecting the rights and safety of all its citizens. As one Hindu worshiper poignantly put it, “We came to Canada to live in peace, but our children are being threatened and our temple is being defaced. “This is not the Canada we imagined.”

By failing to hold violent Khalistani extremists accountable, Canadian authorities have sent a chilling message: Intimidation and violence against Hindus can be tolerated if done under the guise of dissent and freedom of expression. Canada’s promise of pluralism and protection now remains uncertain. When the Hindu community turns to law enforcement for safety, it should not have to question whether the police will act as protectors or passive bystanders. The growing fear in society is that police are beginning to confuse neutrality with inaction and tolerance with complicity in the face of extremist agendas.

The question is no longer whether Canadian police can keep the peace, but whether they choose to do so. As temples become flashpoints and faith communities grapple with increasingly less assured security, Canada faces a reckoning: will it stand by its commitment to equal protection for all its citizens, or will it allow prejudice, silence and neglect? Will you sow more division? For the Hindu community, this message is as sharp as it is painful. In a country once seen as a symbol of peace and inclusion, the guardians of law and order must decide whether to defend these ideals or stand by and watch them erode.

The author is Director of Research at the Center for Integrated and Holistic Research, a non-partisan think tank based in New Delhi. The views expressed in the above article are personal and belong solely to the author. They do not necessarily reflect the views of News18.