Tensions flared this week after a group of around 30 Khalistani protesters gathered in front of the Indian Consulate in Vancouver, vandalizing the Indian flag and celebrating the assassins of former Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
The disturbing display, which included effigies of Gandhi with bullet holes and her Sikh bodyguards depicted with weapons, drew swift condemnation from Canadian politicians. In the video, one of the protestors is heard (speaking to an audience) saying, “It is important for us to come together and understand that the Indian state hates the Sikhs and there is no other story but that the Indian state wants to erase Sikhs.”
Posters captioned “Assassination of Shaheed Nijjar” and “Kill Modi” were seen at the protest amid chants of “No Hindi Na Hindustan, Banke Rahega Khalistan.”
EXCLUSIVE:
Khalistan separatists gathered in front of India's consulate in Vancouver with effigies of Indira Gandhi and her Sikh bodyguards who assassinated her.The effigies of the bodyguards were depicted with weapons, and Indira Gandhi's effigy had bullet holes. Gandhi,… pic.twitter.com/Rt7dCAHH3o
— Mocha Bezirgan 🇨🇦 (@BezirganMocha) June 7, 2024
Minister of Public Safety Dominic LeBlanc stated, “The promotion of violence is never acceptable in Canada.”
This week, there were reports of imagery depicting the assassination of Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in Vancouver. The promotion of violence is never acceptable in Canada.
— Dominic LeBlanc (@DLeBlancNB) June 7, 2024
LeBlanc’s firm stance against glorifying violence marked a rare move by the Canadian government regarding such anti-India protests. In the past, similar events raised pro-Khalistan slogans, prompting India to summon the Canadian Deputy High Commissioner earlier this year to express “deep concern and strong protest.”
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs criticized Canada for allowing “separatism, extremism, and violence” political space, referring to the Khalistani movement seeking an independent Sikh homeland. This statement marks a notable and firm stance by the Canadian government against such actions.
Organizers glorified Air India bombing mastermind Talwinder Singh Parmar as a “martyr.” Demonstrators also burned the Indian constitution and a Russian flag.
This demonstration follows a series of similar anti-India protests in Canada, which have repeatedly drawn strong responses from the Indian government. Earlier this year, India summoned the Canadian Deputy High Commissioner after an event in Toronto, attended by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, where pro-Khalistan slogans were raised.
The India-Canada relationship has been strained recently, particularly over allegations of Indian involvement in the killing of separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar, though no evidence has been provided. It is noteworthy that the genocide carried out in 1984 following Indira Gandhi’s assassination did not have any connection with Modi or the BJP.
(with inputs from WION)
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