‘Glorification of violence’: India slams Canada over pro-Khalistan rally
Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal (Photo: ANI)
India on Tuesday accused the Canadian government of allowing the “celebration and glorification” of violence and called on Ottawa to stop providing safe haven to criminal and secessionist elements in Canada, after a parade in Ontario’s Malton showed of pro-Khalistan sentiments.
In its response to the ‘Nagar Kirtan’ parade with a controversial ‘float’, India called on Justin Trudeau’s government to stop providing criminal and secessionist elements with a ‘safe haven’ and political space in Canada.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Randhir Jaiswal said India remains concerned about the safety of its diplomatic representatives in Canada and expects Ottawa to ensure they can carry out their responsibilities without fear.
The controversial parade was organized on Sunday.
“As you know, we have repeatedly expressed our grave concerns about the violent images used by extremist elements in Canada against our political leadership,” he said.
“Last year, a float depicting the assassination of our former prime minister was used in a procession,” he said.
Jaiswal said posters of Indian diplomats threatening violence against them have also been distributed across Canada.
“Celebrating and glorifying violence should not be part of any civilized society. Democratic countries that respect the rule of law should not allow intimidation by radical elements in the name of freedom of expression,” he said.
“We remain concerned about the safety of our diplomatic representatives in Canada and expect the Canadian government to ensure they can carry out their responsibilities without fear,” Jaiswal said.
“We once again call on the Canadian government to stop providing safe haven and political space to criminal and secessionist elements in Canada,” he said.
Ties between India and Canada came under severe strain following Prime Minister Trudeau’s allegations in September last year of a “potential” involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Khalistan separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
New Delhi dismissed Trudeau’s allegations as “absurd”.
Last week, Canadian authorities charged three Indian nationals with Nijjar’s murder. It is reported that they entered Canada on a student visa.
Karan Brar, 22, Kamalpreet Singh, 22, and Karanpreet Singh, 28, all Indian nationals living in Edmonton, were charged Friday with first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder.
Days after Trudeau’s allegations in September, India asked Ottawa to reduce its diplomatic presence in the country to ensure equality. Canada subsequently withdrew 41 diplomats and their family members from India.
India has claimed that its “core problem” with Canada continues to be the space given to separatists, terrorists and anti-India elements in that country.
Following Trudeau’s allegations last year, India temporarily suspended issuing visas to Canadian citizens. Visa services resumed several weeks later.
(Only the headline and image of this report may have been reworked by Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is automatically generated from a syndicated feed.)
First print: May 8, 2024 | 12:31 pm IST