People gathered outside the High Commission of Canada in New Delhi to protest against Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his government’s alleged support for Khalistan elements. The protestors were upset by the Canadian government’s failure to object to a tableau parade in Ontario celebrating the assassination of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. Members of the Grameen Vikas Samiti group led the protest and held posters boycotting Trudeau while condemning Khalistani activities in Canada.
Bacchu Singh, the Pradhan of Gramin Vikas Samiti, spoke during the protest, saying they collected to express their disapproval of those demanding Khalistan. Singh emphasized that they would not allow India to be divided, and they were boycotting the Canadian Prime Minister for extending support to citizens raising demands for Khalistan. He further indicated that if the demands continued, they would prove to the supporters that their intentions would not come to fruition.
Shahid Lodhi, another protestor, said that Justin is misleading citizens by urging them to raise demands for Khalistan. However, he added that people had become aware, and they would not let it happen. This issue was also condemned by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, who expressed his concern and emphasized the larger underlying issue about the space given to separatists. According to Jaishankar, giving space to extremists is not good for relationships.
MoS MEA Meenakashi Lekhi also addressed the issue, hitting out at the Canadian government, stating that offenses should not be celebrated, and any assassination or murder is a crime in any democratic governance. She added that the government of Canada must act against it and that everything happening in Canada falls within the purview of law and order.
Indira Gandhi served as the first and only woman Prime Minister of India from January 1966 to March 1977 and again from January 1980 until her assassination in October 1984. She was shot dead by two of her own bodyguards at her official residence on October 31, 1984. A video shot at a parade in Canada’s Brampton city on June 4 celebrated the assassination of Indira Gandhi.
In March, Khalistan supporters protested outside the Indian Embassy in Canada, raising pro-Khalistan slogans and allegedly assaulting Indian-origin journalists present on the spot.
