"Canadian police did not make any arrangements...": VHP International President Alok Kumar condemns attack on Hindu temple

New Delhi: Following the attack on the Hindu temple in Canada, the International Working President of Vishva Hindu Parishad, Alok Kumar on Monday said that it is a matter of "regret and anguish" that Canadian police did not make any arrangements and rioters were given a free run.
"This causes a great concern, more so because the Indian consulate was invited by the Hindu temple to organise a camp there over facilities for Indians travelling to India. The Indian Consulate has informed the police authorities about it and had requested for security. Despite advance information and declining security atmosphere, it is a matter of regret and anguish that Canadian police did not make any arrangements and rioters were given a free run," Alok Kumar told ANI.
The incident occurred on Sunday (local time) outside a consular camp organised in collaboration with the Hindu Sabha Mandir in Brampton, near Toronto.
Earlier, the Indian High Commission in Canada condemned the "violent disruption" outside a consular camp in Brampton and raised concerns over the safety of Indian nationals in the country.
The Indian High Commission said that any further events will be organised "contingent on security arrangements" made by the local authorities.
"We have seen violent disruption today (Nov 3) orchestrated by anti-India elements outside the consular camp co-organised with the Hindu Sabha Mandir, Brampton, near Toronto," the statement by the High Commission.
The statement also highlighted other incidents of disruption during a consular camps held in Vancouver and Surrey on November 2 and 3.
It further said it is "deeply disappointing" that such disruptions are "being allowed" for routine counsular work.
"It is deeply disappointing to see such disruptions being allowed for routine counsular work being organised by our consulated with the fullest cooperation of the local co-organizers. We also remain very concerned for the safety of applicants, including Indian nationals, on whose demand such events are organized in the first place," the statement added.
The High Commission also confirmed that despite the disruption, more than 1000 life certifications were issued to Indian and Canadian applicants.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also condemned the recent attack on the Hindu Sabha temple in Brampton by Khalistani extremists. Emphasising the importance of religious freedom, Trudeau asserted that every Canadian has the right to practice their faith freely and safely.
Sharing a post on X, Trudeau wrote, "The acts of violence at the Hindu Sabha Mandir in Brampton today are unacceptable. Every Canadian has the right to practice their faith freely and safely.
The recent attack adds to a string of similar incidents documented in recent years, underscoring a distressing trend of religious intolerance.