https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/nov/04/canada-hindu-temple-attack-modi
In Canada, there lies a Hindu temple in Brampton just up the road from a Sikh Temple; there have been violent clashes between Sikh activists and nationalist counter-protesters. India’s prime Minister, Narendra Modi, has condemned the attack on the Hindu temple. The prime minister blames the Sikh activists for the violent confrontation at a time of rising diplomatic relations between Canada and India. During Indian diplomats’ visit to Canada, the protesters waived the Khalistan flag, the flag of the land in India they wish to take as the Sikh homeland. The group, Sikhs for Justice, claimed that the protest “turned violent” when a group of “Indo-Canadian nationalists, incited by Indian consulate officials,” attacked the Sikh demonstrators. Relations between the two countries have been tense since the attack by Singh Nijjar when Trudeau laid claims that the Indian government was behind the aggression. This past October, each country expelled their senior diplomats as Indian officials say that Canada has ignored the rise of Sikh separatism.
The attack on the Hindu temple in Canada is a significant event that highlights the growing concerns about violence between religious groups. The event reminds the international community how vital freedom of religion is to the citizens of a country and around the world, even if not every country offers it. This event also highlights the tensions in India between indo-nationalists and the Sikhs who wish to have their homeland. However, the homeland they want to acquire is a chunk of land in India, thus raising tensions between the Indian government and the Sikhs, making it easy to blame the activists for the violent attacks. Each country has expelled diplomats to continue pleasing their citizens, but Canada will not retract their allegations that the Indian government was behind the attack. Tensions will rise between the countries. But India is also going through a rise in Sikh uproar, which will grow as the tensions rise between the countries.
The article relates to what we are learning in class as it ties into the concept of Realist Theory. The events discussed in the article connect to realist theory via the idea that the Indian government wants to assert its power in order to intimidate other possible Sikh separatists around the world. By doing so, they bring the country into the running for higher hierarchical status compared to other Central and South Asian countries and challenge other global powers. India is asserting their power through the use of assassinations and attacks on Sikh nationalism.
