'Deeply Concerning': S Jaishankar Reacts to Khalistani Attack on Hindu Temple in Canada

New Delhi: Following attack on a Hindu temple in Canada, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said incident was "deeply concerning". This comes when diplomatic relation betwenn India and Canada has already taken a hit as rth American country's continues to allegly support Khalistani separatists on its soil.

Responding to a question over incident, EAM Jaishankar said," You kw, I think, what happened yesterday, at Hindu temple in Canada was obviously deeply concerning. And, you would have seen statement first by, official spokesperson and also expression of concern by, Prime Minister yesterday. So, that should I think convey to you how deeply we feel about it."

incident was reported in Brampton, where protesters carrying Khalistani flags clashed with people at Hindu Sabha temple on Sunday, October 3, and disrupted a consular event co-organised by temple authorities and Indian Consulate.

"deliberate attack" on a Hindu temple in Brampton trigerred a strong condemnation in India on Monday, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi asking Canadian government to ensure justice and uphold rule of law.

New Delhi asserted it remains "deeply concerned" about safety and security of Indian nationals in Canada while Prime Minister Modi also flayed "cowardly attempts" to intimidate Indian diplomats.

Political parties and religious organisations in India also voiced ir concerns, demanding Canadian government to take steps to ensure that such incidents are t repeated.

tably, India-Canada ties hit a rock bottom after Justin Trudeau-led government publicly alleged India's involvement in killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian citizen who has been designated a terrorist by India.

Condemning attack, PM Modi said, "I strongly condemn deliberate attack on a Hindu temple in Canada. Equally appalling are cowardly attempts to intimidate our diplomats. Such acts of violence will never weaken India's resolve." He added, "We expect Canadian government to ensure justice and uphold rule of law." Official sources ted that this is first statement by Modi since recent slump in India-Canada ties.

Meanwhile, Ministry of External Affairs, in a statement, said it expects that those indulging in violence will be prosecuted and called on government of Canada to ensure that all places of worship are protected from such attacks.

"We condemn acts of violence perpetrated by extremists and separatists at Hindu Sabha Temple in Brampton, Ontario yesterday. We call on government of Canada to ensure that all places of worship are protected from such attacks," MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal was quoted as saying in statement.

"We also expect that those indulging in violence will be prosecuted. We remain deeply concerned about safety and security of Indian nationals in Canada. outreach of our consular officers to provide services to Indians and Canadian citizens alike will t be deterred by intimidation, harassment and violence," he said.

Punjab 's ruling party AAP also strongly crticised incident.

In a statement issued by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), its senior leader and cabinet minister Aman Arora said entire Punjab is shocked by attack on Hindu temple in Canada.

"Punjab is a secular state and violence based on religion is t part of its culture. Even during dark days of terrorism in 1980s and 90s, re was violence on religious grounds."

"Hindus and Sikhs in Punjab live toger like family and have coexisted peacefully," said Arora.

(With inputs from PTI)