Ottawa/IBNS: Canadian Prime Minister has called the attack on a Hindu temple by suspected Khalistani members in his country "unacceptable" and asserted everyone has the right to practice their religion "freely and safely".

Trudeau posted on X, "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.

"Thank you to the Peel Regional Police for swiftly responding to protect the community and investigate this incident."

A large number of devotees were attacked outside a Hindu temple in Canada's Brampton city by suspected Khalistani members recently.

Several videos which are currently circulating on social media showed some people attacking devotees with sticks outside the Hindu temple.

Hindu Canadian Foundation said the attackers targeted women and kids as well.

"Hindu Sabha Temple is under attack by #KhalistaniTerrorists #khalistan," the group posted on X.

Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown posted on X, "I will be bringing a motion to our #Brampton City Council which would look at prohibiting protests at places of worship. Places of worship should safe spaces that are free of violence and intimidation.

"I have asked our City solicitor to look into the legality of such a by-law for our next scheduled meeting of City Council."

Canada's opposition leader and a member of the Conservative Party, Pierre Poilievre, said he will unite people and "end the chaos".

He wrote on X, "Completely unacceptable to see violence targeting worshippers at the Hindu Sabha Mandir in Brampton today.

"All Canadians should be free to practice their faith in peace. Conservatives condemn this violence unequivocally. I will unite our people and end the chaos."

The attack takes place amid the diplomatic tension between the two countries after Canada accused India's Home Minister Amit Shah of being involved in a plot targeting Khalistani separatists.

State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller told reporters, "The allegations made by the government of Canada are concerning, and we will continue to consult with the Canadian government about those allegations."

Miller made the remark after Canada's Deputy Foreign Minister David Morrison on Tuesday told a parliamentary committee that he confirmed Shah's identity to a journalist from The Washington Post earlier in October.

The Washington Post had earlier reported that Canadian security agencies have evidence proving the involvement of an Indian official in targeting Sikh separatists in Ottawa.

The Post report claimed Canada identified Shah as the Indian official.

Morrison later said he had confirmed to the Post journalist Shah's identity.

The Indian government on Saturday summoned a Canadian high commission representative and lodged a strong protest over the recent allegation levelled by the country against Shah.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times, "We had summoned the representative of the Canadian High Commission yesterday, a diplomatic note was handed over in reference to the proceedings of the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security in Ottawa on October 29, 2024."

"It was conveyed in the note that the government of India protests in the strongest terms to the absurd and baseless references made to the Union Home Minister of India before the committee by deputy minister David Morrison," Jaiswal said.

India-Canada standoff over Khalistani row

A recent standoff between New Delhi and Ottawa was triggered after Canada Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused Indian officials of being involved in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

India responded sharply after Canada called the Indian High Commissioner and other diplomats "persons of interest" in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

In a long statement, India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said, "We have received a diplomatic communication from Canada yesterday suggesting that the Indian High Commissioner and other diplomats are ‘persons of interest’ in a matter related to an investigation in that country. The Government of India strongly rejects these preposterous imputations and ascribes them to the political agenda of the Trudeau Government that is centered around vote bank politics.

"Since Prime Minister Trudeau made certain allegations in September 2023, the Canadian Government has not shared a shred of evidence with the Government of India, despite many requests from our side. This latest step follows interactions that have again witnessed assertions without any facts. This leaves little doubt that on the pretext of an investigation, there is a deliberate strategy of smearing India for political gains."

In a statement which leaves India vindicated, Trudeau on Wednesday said he had no "hard evidentiary proof" to back his claims that India government officials were involved in Nijjar's killing.