'I strongly condemn Hindu temple attack, intimidation of our diplomats': PM Modi amid Canada row

PM Modi also slammed the attempt to "intimidate" Indian diplomats in Canada, calling the situation 'apalling' and urging the Canadian government to ensure justice.

In a strongly worded post, PM Modi said: "I strongly condemn the deliberate attack on a Hindu temple in Canada. Equally appalling are the cowardly attempts to intimidate our diplomats. Such acts of violence will never weaken India’s resolve. We expect the Canadian government to ensure justice and uphold the rule of law."

Earlier, the Indian government condemned the attack by 'extremists and separatists'.

In a statement, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said: "We call on the Government of Canada to ensure that all places of worship are protected from such attacks. We also expect that those indulging in violence will be prosecuted."

The Indian High Commission has strongly responded to an attack on Hindus outside a temple in Canada's Brampton by suspected Khalistani members, calling the violence" deeply disappointing", media reports said.

In a press statement, the High Commission said, "We have seen violent disruption today (Nov 3) orchestrated by anti-India elements outside the consular camp co-organized with the Hindu Sabha Mandir, Brampton, near Toronto."

"It is deeply disappointing to see such disruptions being allowed for routine consular work being organized by our Consulates with the fullest cooperation of 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. Despite these efforts by anti-India elements, our Consulate was able to issue more than 1,000 life certificates to the Indian and Canadian applicants," the statement added.

Justin Trudeau has also condemned the attack on the Hindu temple despite his rocky relationship with India in recent times after the Canada Prime Minister charged Indian "agents" of being involved in the killing of a Sikh separatist leader last year.

India earlier this month expelled six Canadian diplomats and asked them to leave the country by Saturday after Ottawa said it was investigating the Indian ambassador and other diplomats as "persons of interest" in connection with the killing of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar last year, official sources said.

In a tit-for-tat move, Canada too asked six Indian diplomats to leave the country alleging that its police reportedly got hold of evidence that they claimed to be a part of an Indian government "campaign of violence".

The Indian government had also decided to withdraw its High Commissioner in Canada after Ottawa's fresh accusations against the Indian envoy and other diplomats in connection with a murder investigation which the Modi government called an act of "vote bank politics".