Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday condemned the attack on a temple in Canada's Brampton and urged the Centre to take up the issue with the Canadian government to prevent such incidents in the future.  Protesters carrying Khalistani flags clashed with people at the Hindu temple on Sunday.

"I strongly condemn the incident. I also demand from the government of India to speak to the Canadian government over this issue in order to prevent such incidents in future," Mann told reporters in Bathinda.

He said the Canadian government must ensure exemplary action against the perpetrators of this heinous crime so that it acts as a deterrent for others in future.

He said many Punjabis consider Canada as their second home and nobody wants such a violent incident to take place there.

"Canada is the second home of millions of Punjabis who have settled there and carved a niche for themselves," he said.

He said ties with Canada must remain cordial. It is unfortunate that politics of divisiveness and hatred has spread its tentacles in Canada, said Mann.Punjabis pray for welfare of all and are votary of peace due to which they are loved across the globe, he said.With their rare qualities of hard work and resilience Punjabis have carved a niche for themselves in the entire world, said Mann.

India has said it remains "deeply concerned" about the safety and security of its nationals in Canada. India-Canada ties remain deeply troubled over the North American country's alleged support to Khalistani separatists and its accusation of India's involvement in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian citizen who has been designated a terrorist by India.

Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) working president Balwinder Singh Bhundar also condemned the incident and appealed to people of Indian origin to defeat conspiracies to divide them on communal lines.Bhundar called upon the Canadian government to ensure all places of religious worship were secure from such acts of violence.

In a statement, Bhundar said, "attempts are afoot to divide Sikhs and Hindus in Canada on communal lines. This is against the teachings of our Guru Sahiban who have preached the concept of 'sarbat da bhala' (welfare of all).

"The SAD also has always stood for communal harmony and has also made numerous sacrifices to uphold this principle. It is a votary of Hindu-Sikh 'bhaichara' and has ensured impeccable peace and communal harmony during its successive terms in government in Punjab."

He appealed to people from both communities in Canada to recognize their common roots and exercise utmost restraint and maintain communal harmony at this critical juncture.

Bhundar also appealed to the Canadian government to ensure safety of all persons of Indian origin as well as safety of their places of worship.

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Tuesday condemned the attack on a Hindu temple in Canada, saying it is unacceptable and such incidents are a direct assault on the values of peace, respect and unity.

Sawant also urged the Canadian government to take immediate action to ensure the safety and security of all religious communities within its borders.

The incident occurred on Sunday in Canada's Brampton city, where protestors carrying Khalistani flags clashed with people at the Hindu Sabha temple on Sunday and disrupted a consular event co-organised by the temple authorities and the Indian Consulate.

The development comes as India-Canada ties remain deeply troubled over the North American country's alleged support to Khalistani separatists and its accusation of India's involvement in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian citizen who has been designated a terrorist by India.

In the post on X, CM Sawant said, "The recent, targeted attack on the Hindu temple and its devotees is not only deeply concerning but also entirely unacceptable. Such incidents represent a direct assault on the values of peace, respect and unity that form the foundation of any civilised society."

"We call upon the Canadian Government to take immediate, decisive action to ensure the safety and security of all religious communities within its borders," he added.

Describing the attack on a Hindu temple in Canada as "more than an isolated incident", Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan has said the incident pained him deeply and expressed hope that the Canadian government would take necessary steps to ensure the safety of Hindu community there. In a social media post on Monday night, Kalyan said Hindus are a global minority, and as such, they receive little attention, little solidarity, and are easily targeted. Every act of hatred, every instance of abuse against them is a blow to all who cherish humanity and peace.

"It pains me deeply to see our Hindu brothers and sisters enduring persecution, violence, and unimaginable suffering in places like Pakistan, Afghanistan, and recently, Bangladesh.

Today's attack on a Hindu temple and on Hindus in Canada strikes at the heart, sparking both anguish and alarm," he said. But this is more than an isolated incident and across various countries, acts of violence and targeted hatred against Hindus persist, yet the silence from global leaders, international organizations, and the "so-called peace-loving" NGOs is deafening, he added.

Kalyan stressed that it is not merely a plea for compassion but a call for action which the world needs to acknowledge and address the suffering of Hindus with the same urgency and commitment it offers others. "It is my fervent hope that the Canadian government takes immediate, decisive steps to ensure a safe and secure environment for the Hindu community there."

The Deputy CM said humanity cannot afford selective compassion and people should stand united, with unwavering resolve, against the persecution of any community, anywhere. Addressing a gathering on Tuesday in Palnadu District, Kalyan said he is appealing to the Centre to talk to world leaders on the situation in Canada and Bangladesh where, according to him Hindus are being attacked. Referring to Sanatana Dharma, he said it is all about having a larger heart and he will protect Muslims if "something" happens to them. He appealed to all Hindus to come forward and be united wherever they are "suppressed and oppressed".