India Cancels Consular Camp In Toronto Over ‘Inadequate Security’

Days after the assault on a Hindu temple in Canada’s Brampton, the Minister of Exterior Affairs introduced the cancellation of consular camps in Toronto over safety points.

Consular camps are routine operations organized by the Indian diplomatic missions in Canada, together with the Excessive Fee in Ottawa and the Consulates in Vancouver and Toronto, to help Indian nationals with numerous companies, equivalent to life certificates.

MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal at this time mentioned, “You’d have seen the message posted by our consulate in Toronto that they needed to cancel the consular camp they have been planning to prepare over the weekend as a result of they didn’t obtain enough safety or safety assurance from the host authorities.” 

“That was the rationale these consular camps needed to be cancelled. As , we’ve got a big diaspora in Canada. Many of those individuals, particularly round November and December, want a number of paperwork for the continuation of their pensions and different actions right here in India. So, this consular camp we do is useful to the group, to each individuals of Indian nationality and other people of Indian origin who might now be nationals of different international locations,” Mr Jaiswal mentioned.

The Consulate Basic of India in Toronto earlier mentioned, “In view of the safety companies conveying their incapability to supply minimal safety safety to the group camp organizers, the Consulate has determined to cancel a few of the scheduled consular camps.”

In view of the safety companies conveying their incapability to supply minimal safety safety to the group camp organizers, Consulate has determined to cancel a few of the scheduled consular camps.@HCI_Ottawa @MEAIndia

— IndiainToronto (@IndiainToronto) November 7, 2024

Prime Minister Narendra Modi strongly condemned the “deliberate assault on a Hindu temple in Canada” – referring to a stunning incident final week when males breached the gates of a temple in Brampton, Ontario, whereas the Indian Excessive Fee held a consular camp.

Learn extra: “Cowardly Makes an attempt To Intimidate Diplomats”: PM’s 1st Feedback On Canada Row

The PM additionally criticised “cowardly makes an attempt” to intimidate Indian diplomats in that nation.

Shortly after the assault on the temple, the Indian Excessive Fee in Ottawa mentioned a consular camp was disrupted. 

PRESS RELEASE

“Violent disruption outdoors consular camp in Brampton, Ontario (Nov 3)”@MEAIndia @IndianDiplomacy @diaspora_india @cgivancouver @IndiainToronto pic.twitter.com/V7QNMmA4eR

— India in Canada (@HCI_Ottawa) November 4, 2024

“We have now seen violent disruption at this time (Nov 3) orchestrated by anti-India components outdoors the consular camp. Co-organized with the Hindu Sabha Mandir, Brampton, close to Toronto. It’s deeply disappointing to see such disruptions being allowed for routine consular work being organized by our Consulates with the fullest cooperation of native co-organizers. We additionally stay very involved for the security of candidates, together with Indian nationals, on whose demand such occasions are organized within the first place,” it added.

“Regardless of these efforts by anti-India components, our Consulate was capable of concern greater than 1000 life certificates to the Indian and Canadian candidates. There have been additionally makes an attempt to disrupt related camps held in Vancouver and Surrey on Nov 2-3,” the Excessive Fee mentioned.

“In case any camp is infeasible to be held because of such disruptions, various preparations might be made to render these companies, which can sadly inconvenience native customers of those companies,” the Excessive Fee mentioned.