Toronto: The Consulate General of India in Toronto has cancelled several consular camps, originally planned to issue life certificates to Indian pensioners, due to a lack of security support from local agencies following protests by Khalistanis.
“Given that security agencies conveyed their inability to provide basic protection for community camp organisers, the Consulate has opted to cancel some scheduled consular camps,” stated the Consulate General on platform X.
This decision comes after clashes involving protesters carrying Khalistani flags at the Hindu Sabha Temple in Brampton, where a consular event organised with the temple and Indian Consulate was disrupted.
On November 4, India expressed concerns over its nationals’ safety in Canada following these incidents. Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal condemned the violence at the Hindu Sabha Temple, urging the Canadian government to protect places of worship from attacks and prosecute those responsible.
“We remain deeply troubled about the safety and security of Indian nationals in Canada. Our Consular officers’ commitment to serving Indians and Canadian citizens will not waver in the face of intimidation, harassment, or violence,” Jaiswal emphasised.
Similarly, the Indian High Commission in Ottawa voiced disappointment over anti-India disruptions at a consular camp in Brampton.
“It is extremely disheartening to witness such interruptions to routine consular activities,” read their statement, noting that despite the disruptions, over 1,000 life certificates were issued to applicants. Attempts to disrupt consular camps also occurred in Vancouver and Surrey on November 2 and 3.
In response to the escalating incidents, the Canadian National Council of Hindus (CNCH), the Hindu Federation, temple leaders, and advocacy groups have barred politicians from using temple facilities for political purposes unless they take “concrete steps” to address the threat of Khalistani extremism in Canada.
