Canada court restricts Khalistani protest near temple holding Indian consular camp

A Canadian court gave prohibitory orders in a move to prevent Khalistani protesters from potentially disturbing consular access to elderly Indian-origin people at the Laxmi Narayan Mandir Hindu Cultural Society in Toronto’s Scarborough, a statement by the temple said on Saturday.
The court ordered an injunction for Laxmi Narayan Mandir, preventing any protestors from gathering within 100 metres of the temple.
The Mandir Society expressed their gratitude towards the court for clearing the way for the Indian consular camp at their premises on November 30.
“Consulate organised the last Consular Camp of the season at Laxminarayan Mandir, Scarborough. Close to 250 life certificates were issued to the elderly. Though there are no more scheduled camps in this season, Certificates will continue to be issued at the Consulate during working hours,” the Indian Consulate in Toronto said in a post on X.

“The Superior Court of Justice in Toronto, Ontario has issued an interlocutory injunction prohibiting all protest activities, including physically preventing, or interfering with access to within 100-meter distance to the Laxmi Narayan Temple in Scarborough from 8 am to 6 pm on Saturday, November 30, 2024. This order aims to ensure the safety and sanctity of the temple premises and individuals during the specified hours,” the society said in a statement.
The development came a week after the Consulate cancelled consular camps across Canada after local authorities expressed their inability to provide even the “minimum security against heightened threats”.

Appreciating the efforts of local police, who ensured that the court’s order was implemented on the ground, the statement further said, “We extend a heartfelt gratitude to the Toronto Police Service and 42 Division for their outstanding support in facilitating the Indian consular camp held at our temple”.
“Your commitment to ensure the safety and security of our community during this important time was exemplary and greatly appreciated,” it added.
Hindu Forum in Canada member, Ravi Andamuri, said that the police, who were not cooperating earlier, only did so after the court’s orders.
“Today we seek court protection because, unfortunately, the police were not protecting us in the past. Now we are very happy that the police are coordinating with us, and they are helping us and now the camp is going on peacefully,” he said.
Earlier in November, the Indian High Commission in Canada decided to cancel some of the planned consular camps after attacks by Khalistani mobs on two camps in Brampton and Surrey on November 2 and 3.
On November 2, a Khalistani mob entered the premises of the Hindu Sabha temple in Brampton and attacked devotees there. The temple was organising the consular camp and the Peel Police of Ontario province failed to protect and act against the Khalistani attackers.
Sikhs for Justice, a banned pro-Khalistani group, said its supporters were protesting the presence of Indian consular officials who had come to assist in administrative services.
Following those attacks on the Indian-Canadian community in Brampton, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said that consular services have faced a setback due to security concerns, also expressing hope that the camps would continue in other cities.