India additionally summoned the Canadian Deputy High Commissioner to the Ministry of External Affairs to lift its considerations over the matter.
India on Monday strongly protested ‘Khalistan’ slogans at a public event attended by Canadian leaders and stated that such disturbing actions won’t solely affect India-Canada relations but additionally encourage a local weather of violence and criminality in Canada to the detriment of its personal residents.
“The Government of India’s deep concern and strong protest was conveyed at such disturbing actions being allowed to continue unchecked at the event. This illustrates once again the political space that has been given in Canada to separatism, extremism and violence. Their continued expressions not only impact India-Canada relations but also encourage a climate of violence and criminality in Canada to the detriment of its own citizens,” stated the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in an official assertion.
India additionally summoned the Canadian Deputy High Commissioner to the Ministry of External Affairs to lift its considerations over the matter.
“The Canadian Deputy High Commissioner was today summoned to the Ministry of External Affairs with regard to the raising of separatist slogans on ‘Khalistan’ at an event which was being personally addressed by the Prime Minister of Canada,” stated MEA.
Notably, at the Khalsa Day Celebrations that happened in Toronto on Sunday, loud chants of pro-Khalistan slogans have been raised within the presence of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, in addition to opposition chief Pierre Poilievre.
India and Canada are coping with an unprecedented diplomatic disaster, after Canadian Prime Minister accused brokers of the Government of India for killing Canadian Khalistani chief Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June 2023. However, India has dismissed the accusations as “absurd” and “motivated.”
Nijjar, who was designated a terrorist by the National Investigation Agency in 2020, was shot and killed as he got here out of a Gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia, on the night of June 18, 2023.The video of his killing that reportedly surfaced in March just lately, confirmed Nijjar being shot by armed males in what has been described as a ‘contract killing’.
The killing led to accusations from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau that the federal government of India had a hand within the killing — a declare that was denied by India and led to the deterioration of diplomatic ties between Canada and India.
As PM Trudeau was about to take the stage for his deal with to mark Khalsa Day, the chants have been heard getting louder until he arrived and commenced his speech within the video launched by Canada-based CPAC TV.
Slogans of “Khalistan Zindabad” have been heard at the event through which, NDP chief Jagmeet Singh and Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow have been additionally current. An identical occasion additionally occured when the chief of the official opposition of Canada, Pierre Poilievre walked as much as the stage to start his deal with to the individuals gathered at the event. Thousands of individuals flocked to downtown Toronto on Sunday for one of many largest yearly gatherings within the metropolis.
According to the Ontario Sikhs and Gurdwaras Council (OSGC), Vaisakhi, additionally known as Khalsa Day, commemorates the founding of the Sikh neighborhood in 1699 in addition to the Sikh New Year. The group has been organising an annual parade down Lake Shore Boulevard for a few years; the council claims that it’s the third-largest parade within the nation and that it commonly attracts 1000’s of spectators, based on CBC News.
Even as Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau walked as much as deal with the Sikh Community in Toronto loud pro-Khalistan slogans have been raised from the group. Trudeau in a staunch assurance to the Sikh Community within the nation has stated that the federal government is at all times there to guard their rights and freedoms at all prices. He stated that variety is one among Canada’s biggest strengths, and the nation is robust not despite the variations, however due to these variations.
“One of Canada’s greatest strengths is its diversity. We are strong not in spite of our differences, but because of our differences; but even as we look at these differences, we have to remember, and get reminded on days such as this, and every day, that Sikh values are Canadian values…” Trudeau stated throughout the Khalsa Day Celebrations on Sunday in Toronto.
“To the nearly, 800,000 Canadians of Sikh heritage across this country, we will always be there to protect your rights and your freedoms, and we will always defend your community against hatred and discrimination,” he asserted.
The Canadian PM additionally famous that the nation is enhancing the safety and infrastructure programmes by “adding more security at community centres and places of worship, including Gurdwaras.”
“Your right to practice your religion freely, and without intimidation is exactly that. A fundamental right guaranteed in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms that we will always stand up and defend you for,” Trudeau assured the Sikh neighborhood in his Khalsa Day deal with.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by DNA employees and is revealed from ANI)
