India warns nationals living in Canada of rising hate crimes, ‘sectarian violence’
Global News
The Indian government said in the statement that it has taken up the alleged incidents with Canadian authorities and requested an investigation.
The government of India is warning its citizens in Canada about what it calls a sharp increase in hate crimes, sectarian violence and “anti-India activities.”
But the head of a Sikh group based in Mississauga, Ont., said the allegations in a statement issued Friday by India’s External Affairs Ministry were directed at peaceful Sikh political activism in Canada, and were baseless.
The Indian government said in the statement that it has taken up the alleged incidents with Canadian authorities and requested an investigation.
“The perpetrators of these crimes have not been brought to justice so far in Canada,” said the statement, which does not provide information on where the alleged incidents occurred.
It said that in view of the “increasing incidences of crimes,” Indian nationals and students in Canada are advised to exercise due caution and remain vigilant.
No one from Global Affairs Canada was available to respond to a request for comment on the claim from India’s government, and RCMP headquarters in Ottawa did not immediately provide a response.
Balpreet Singh, spokesman for the World Sikh Organization, said the statement is “completely political” and there is no evidence of any rise in sectarian violence or extremism targeting Indian nationals or students in Canada.
He said a Hindu temple was vandalized with graffiti in Toronto last week, but police there have so far not linked that incident to “anti-India activities.”
