The Congress on Thursday condemned the “glorification” of the assassination of former prime minister Indira Gandhi at a parade in Canada and requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi why he hasn’t spoken to his Canadian counterpart on the difficulty.
The Congress additionally urged External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to take up strongly with Canadian authorities the inclusion of a float depicting the previous prime minister’s assassination in a parade in Brampton.
Asked in regards to the incident at a press convention right here, Jaishankar hit out at Canada, saying there was a bigger underlying challenge in regards to the house which is given to separatists, extremists and individuals who advocate violence.
While Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate and normal secretary (organisation) Ok C Venugopal hit out at Jaishankar for making a “general comment” on the difficulty, their social gathering colleague Milind Deora welcomed the minister’s “condemnation of the Canadian tableau that celebrated the assassination of Indira Gandhi”.
Congress normal secretary Randeep Surjewala said it’s “reprehensible and condemnable” that Prime Minister Modi is silent on the difficulty and requested whether or not he’s viewing the whole lot with a political motive.
“The assassination of a former prime minister is celebrated and the prime minister of India does not say a single word… Why is the Government of India silent,” he requested. Perhaps, that is the explanation why secessionists are elevating their head in Punjab as soon as once more, he said.
“Why does the prime minister not talk to his counterpart in Canada? … Why has the Canadian ambassador in India not been summoned and a strong protest lodged,” the Congress normal secretary requested. Surjewala said each nation needs to be advised that no anti-India marketing campaign might be allowed.
“Will the country’s prime minister see everything with political motives,” he requested.
This just isn’t a partisan challenge that the prime minister and his authorities have chosen to maintain quiet. Such incidents have larger ramifications for the peace in Punjab and the remainder of the nation, he said. The External Affairs minister ought to summon the Canadian envoy and lodge a robust protest over the incident, he added.
Surjewala condemned the pro-Khalistan parade in Canada and the “glorification” of Gandhi’s assassination.
Gandhi, former Punjab chief minister Beant Singh and 1000’s of Congress staff laid down their lives to defend the unity and integrity of the nation, he said.
Speaking on the press convention, Jaishankar warned Canada towards giving house to separatists and extremist parts, saying it was not good for bilateral ties. “Frankly, we’re at a loss to know aside from the necessities of vote financial institution politics, why anyone would do that.
“Because if you look at their history, you would imagine that they learn from history and they would not like to repeat that history. It is not only one incident, however, egregious it may be,” Jaishankar said.
“I think there is a larger underlying issue about the space which is given to separatists, to extremists, to people who advocate violence and I think it is not good for relationships and not good for Canada,” he added.
Earlier, Canadian High Commissioner to India Cameron Mackay said he was “appalled” by the stories of the occasion in his nation that “celebrated” the assassination of Gandhi. “There is no place in Canada for hate or for the glorification of violence. I categorically condemn these activities,” he said in a tweet.
Deora shared on Twitter a purported video, which is doing the rounds on social media, of the float on the Brampton parade depicting Gandhi’s assassination.
“As an Indian, I’m appalled by the 5-km-long parade which took place in the city of Brampton, Canada, depicting the assassination of Indira Gandhi,” the previous Union minister said. “It’s not about taking sides, it’s about respect for a nation’s history and the pain caused by its Prime Minister’s assassination,” Deora said.
This extremism deserves common condemnation and a united response, he asserted.
Sharing Deora’s tweet, Congress normal secretary Jairam Ramesh said, “I entirely agree! This is despicable and Dr S Jaishankar should take it up strongly with the Canadian authorities.”
Responding to Deora’s tweet, senior Congress chief Shashi Tharoor said, “You are completely right… There should be no politics in condemning this despicable act across party lines.”
In a tweet later, Deora welcomed “Jaishankar ji’s condemnation of the Canadian tableau that celebrated the assassination of Indira Gandhi”. “In moments when we rise above petty politics and unite as a nation, India wins. It’s crucial to foster a climate which safeguards the dignity of our nation & its leaders,” he said.
Congress spokesperson Shrinate, nonetheless, expressed dissatisfaction over the federal government’s response. “An Indian prime minister was assassinated by separatist forces. Her assassination is glorified by pro-Khalistan extremists in Canada.
“And all that our government has done is make this one general comment — without even naming Smt Indira Gandhi. Our national interests and security must be above any political concerns. India must take this up officially with the Canadian government,” she said.
Senior Congress chief Venugopal requested why Jaishankar didn’t unequivocally condemn the “disgusting event of Brampton”. “Smt. Indira Gandhi ji was one of the tallest leaders in Indian history, who laid down her life to protect India’s sovereignty,” he said.
“In his briefing as we speak, S. Jaishankar gave a normal assertion, as an alternative of particularly acknowledging Indira ji’s martyrdom. Why did he prevaricate, and never unequivocally condemn the occasion?
“We demand a strong response from the Prime Minister himself, and the EAM and the Indian High Commission in Canada must take firm steps to convey the anger of 140 crore Indians,” he said. Gandhi was assassinated by her Sikh bodyguards on October 31, 1984.
