Amid ongoing diplomatic tensions, the Indian Consulate in Canada announced the cancellation of several upcoming consular camps on Thursday, citing security concerns. The decision followed warnings from local security agencies regarding their “continued inability to provide minimum security protection” for the organizers of these events.
In a statement, the Consulate General of India in Toronto explained that due to heightened threats and the failure of security agencies to ensure adequate protection, they had to cancel additional consular camps. “Most of these camps were not held at places of worship, including one at a police facility,” the Consulate clarified. They acknowledged the impact on nearly 4,000 elderly members of the Indian and Canadian diaspora in the Greater Toronto Area, who rely on these consular services.
Earlier this month, the Consulate had already canceled several consular camps after local authorities said they could not provide the necessary security. This followed a violent disruption at a consular camp held at the Hindu Sabha Temple near Toronto.
Following the incident, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal explained, “Our consulate in Toronto had to cancel the consular camp they were planning to organize over the weekend because they did not get adequate security or assurances from the government.”
Consular camps are vital for the Indian diaspora, especially in November and December, when many seek assistance with pension documents and other administrative needs. Jaiswal noted that while camps in places like Vancouver will proceed, they are contingent on assurances of safety from local community groups. “These consular camps are conducted at the request of community organizations. So where the community organization is comfortable, we will go ahead with these consular camps,” he added.
The cancellations have sparked concern, particularly among elderly members of the Indian diaspora in Canada, who rely on these camps for essential consular services.
