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New Delhi : India on Monday strongly protested ‘Khalistan’ slogans at a public occasion attended by Canadian leaders and mentioned that such disturbing actions is not going to solely affect India-Canada relations but in addition encourage a local weather of violence and criminality in Canada to the detriment of its personal residents.
“The Authorities of India’s deep concern and powerful protest was conveyed at such disturbing actions being allowed to proceed unchecked on the occasion. This illustrates as soon as once more the political house that has been given in Canada to separatism, extremism and violence. Their continued expressions not solely affect India-Canada relations but in addition encourage a local weather of violence and criminality in Canada to the detriment of its personal residents,” mentioned the Ministry of Exterior Affairs (MEA) in an official assertion.
India additionally summoned the Canadian Deputy Excessive Commissioner to the Ministry of Exterior Affairs to lift its considerations over the matter.
“The Canadian Deputy Excessive Commissioner was immediately summoned to the Ministry of Exterior Affairs with regard to the elevating of separatist slogans on ‘Khalistan’ at an occasion which was being personally addressed by the Prime Minister of Canada,” mentioned MEA.
Notably, on the Khalsa Day Celebrations that occurred 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 Authorities of India for killing Canadian Khalistani chief Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June 2023. Nonetheless, India has dismissed the accusations as “absurd” and “motivated.”
Nijjar, who was designated a terrorist by the Nationwide Investigation Company 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 not too long ago, 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 on the occasion by which, NDP chief Jagmeet Singh and Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow have been additionally current.
The same 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 on the occasion.
Hundreds of individuals flocked to downtown Toronto on Sunday for one of many greatest yearly gatherings within the metropolis.
In keeping with the Ontario Sikhs and Gurdwaras Council (OSGC), Vaisakhi, additionally known as Khalsa Day, commemorates the founding of the Sikh group in 1699 in addition to the Sikh New Yr.
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 recurrently attracts hundreds of spectators, in keeping with CBC Information.
Whilst Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau walked as much as deal with the Sikh Neighborhood in Toronto loud pro-Khalistan slogans have been raised from the group. Trudeau in a staunch assurance to the Sikh Neighborhood within the nation has mentioned that the federal government is at all times there to guard their rights and freedoms in any respect prices.
He mentioned that range is one in all Canada’s biggest strengths, and the nation is robust not despite the variations, however due to these variations.
“One in every of Canada’s biggest strengths is its range. We’re sturdy not despite our variations, however due to our variations; however at the same time as we take a look at these variations, we’ve to recollect, and get reminded on days reminiscent of this, and on daily basis, that Sikh values are Canadian values…” Trudeau mentioned in the course of the Khalsa Day Celebrations on Sunday in Toronto.
“To the practically, 800,000 Canadians of Sikh heritage throughout this nation, we’ll at all times be there to guard your rights and your freedoms, and we’ll at all times defend your group in opposition to hatred and discrimination,” he asserted.
The Canadian PM additionally famous that the nation is enhancing the safety and infrastructure programmes by “including extra safety at group centres and locations of worship, together with Gurdwaras.”
“Your proper to apply your faith freely, and with out intimidation is precisely that. A elementary proper assured within the Canadian Constitution of Rights and Freedoms that we’ll at all times arise and defend you for,” Trudeau assured the Sikh group in his Khalsa Day deal with.
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