The cancellation of consular camps has significantly affected the Indian-Canadian community, particularly elderly residents who rely on these services
The Indian Consulate in Toronto has announced the cancellation of additional consular camps in Canada, citing the inability of local security agencies to ensure adequate protection against escalating threats. The decision comes in the wake of attacks on earlier camps and increasing concerns about the safety of consular staff and attendees.
In an official statement released on Thursday, the Consulate General of India in Toronto said, “Due to continued inability conveyed by security agencies to provide minimum security against heightened threats, the Consulate has had to cancel some more consular camps. Most of them were not at any places of worship, including one at a police facility.”
Rising Security Concerns
The move follows recent incidents on November 2 and 3, where Khalistani groups targeted consular camps in Brampton and Surrey, disrupting services and threatening attendees. On November 2, a mob entered the Hindu Sabha Temple in Brampton, where a consular camp was being held, and attacked devotees present. Despite the presence of Peel Police, no effective action was taken to prevent or address the incident.
Sikhs for Justice, a banned pro-Khalistani group, claimed responsibility for the protests, stating that their supporters opposed the presence of Indian consular officials providing essential services to the diaspora.
Impact On Indian-Canadian Diaspora
The cancellation of consular camps has significantly affected the Indian-Canadian community, particularly elderly residents who rely on these services. The Consulate’s statement acknowledged the impact, saying, “The Consulate is fully sensitive to the difficulties faced by close to 4,000 elderly members of the diaspora in the Greater Toronto Area—both Indian and Canadian nationals—who have been deprived of an essential consular service.”
The camps were intended to provide administrative services such as passport renewals, visa applications, and document attestations, which are now disrupted due to security concerns.
Diplomatic Strain
These developments come amid heightened tensions between India and Canada. Relations between the two countries have deteriorated since Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused India of involvement in the killing of Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in September. India has strongly denied the allegations, criticizing Trudeau’s government for engaging in appeasement politics and further straining bilateral ties.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in India has expressed regret over the disruption of consular services in Canada, while also voicing hope that such camps could resume in safer locations. “The consular services have faced a setback due to security concerns,” the MEA stated, adding that measures would be taken to ensure the safety of both consular staff and the diaspora.