'Hindu lives don't matter for opposition': BJP attacks Congress for 'silence' on Canada's temple attack

NEW DELHI: Bharatiya Janata Party spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari on Monday accused Congress leaders Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Rahul Gandhi of remaining silent on recent attacks on Hindu temples in Canada, which he said suggested a lack of concern for Hindu lives.

Speaking to news agency ANI, Bhandari said, "It is painful that when all parties have to be united on the issue of national interest, Priyanka Vadra who posts 10 tweets on Gaza, Rahul Gandhi who speaks for minorities in the country go silent when Hindus are attacked in Bangladesh or Canada. This makes it clear that for Indian Opposition, for Congress party Hindu lives don't matter."

Bhandari also praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's immediate response to the attacks, saying, "From Bangladesh to Canada, if Indians face a crisis or countrymen are in distress, PM Narendra Modi stands with them. When Hindus are attacked—whether in Bangladesh or Canada—PM Modi speaks up and calls for action."

This comes as over a thousand Canadian Hindus gathered outside the Hindu Sabha Mandir in Brampton on Monday evening (local time) to protest the recent attacks on Hindu temples by Khalistani extremists following an incident in which the temple was reportedly targeted by pro-Khalistan activists.

Earlier, Prime Minister Modi had condemned the attack on X, calling on Canadian authorities to ensure justice. "I strongly condemn the deliberate attack on a Hindu temple in Canada. Equally appalling are the cowardly attempts to intimidate our diplomats. Such acts of violence will never weaken India's resolve. We expect the Canadian government to ensure justice and uphold the rule of law," PM Modi posted.

Foreign minister Jaishankar also weighed in on Tuesday, describing the attack as “deeply concerning.” While addressing reporters in Canberra, where he is on an official visit, Jaishankar said, “What happened yesterday at the Hindu temple in Canada was deeply concerning. The statements from our official spokesperson and the Prime Minister convey how deeply we feel about this issue.”

This controversy surfaces amid escalating tensions between India and Canada following Canada's allegations last month that Indian agents were involved in the murder of Khalistani separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar on Canadian soil.

Canada recently placed several Indian diplomats under investigation, further straining bilateral ties. India has dismissed these allegations as “baseless” and politically motivated, accusing Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of exploiting anti-India sentiment for domestic political gain.