India on Thursday reacted to the recent attack at the BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir in Edmonton, when the Hindu temple was vandalised with "anti-India" graffiti painted on its walls on July 22. Blaming Canadian authorities for the "lack of action" against the perpetrators involved, the Ministry of External Affairs said that this has "emboldened" criminal elements in the country,leading to a rise in such attacks against temples.
"These attacks against Temples have become a recurring occurrence and are done with a purpose which is not difficult to fathom," MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said.
Condemning the vandalisation, Jaiswal stated that the matter has been taken up with the Canadian authorities in Ottawa and in Delhi.
"We expect the local authorities to take string and swift action against those responsible," he added.
The MEA Spokesperson further highlighted the surge of similar incidents in Canada of late, adding that the "lack of action against the perpetrators has further emboldened such criminal elements."
Jaiswal urged action against those responsible for the "extremism" and "violence" in Canada against India.
"Those advocating and responsible for extremism and violence need to be brought to justice or else the rule of law and respect for pluralism in Canada will continue to be severely undermined. We hope the Canadian government will take action," he said.
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The Vishwa Hindu Parishad in Canada had also denounced the "Hinduphobic" graffiti at the BAPS Mandir in Edmonton, urging Canadian government to act "decisively" against the "growing extremist ideology" that was increasing hate against Hindu community in Canada.
The Indian consulate in Vancouver also requested the Canadian authorities to probe into the matter of vandalism at the BAPS Mandir, asking them to take "prompt action against the perpetrators".
Earlier today, Jaiswal also reacted to the Canadian government charging two men for threatening PM Justin Trudeau and other political leaders.
"We expect Canada to take action against anti-India elements who have repeatedly threatened Indian leaders, institutions, airlines and diplomats by violence. We would like to see strong action, same level of action on the threats posed to us," he stated, adding that when a nation uses different means to implement rule of law and freedom, it "exposes its own double standards."