Prime Minister Justin Trudeau addressed concerns about a divisive parade float portraying the murder of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and the appearance of “Kill India” placards put up by Khalistan supporters at a demonstration in Brampton during a news conference today. Just days before a planned pro-Khalistan protest outside the Indian High Commission in Ottawa, India summoned the Canadian ambassador and issued a demarche over the increasing activities of pro-Khalistani groups there.
Contrary to claims, Prime Minister Trudeau emphatically refuted any tolerance toward terrorism and clearly underlined that Canada has continuously taken swift action against violent actions and the risks they represent. “They are mistaken. Canada has always taken threats of violence and acts of violence very seriously. When questioned about a contentious parade float in the Greater Toronto Area that represented the death of former Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, Trudeau said, “We have always taken severe action against terrorism, and we always will.
Supporters of Khalistan displayed a tableau of the late prime minister with blood on her garments and a placard demanding retribution for the assault on Shri Darbar Sahib as a way of commemorating the 39th anniversary of Operation Blue Star. In addition, the recent dissemination of aggressive pro-Khalistani posters referring to top Indian diplomats as “killers” inflamed fury in India.
Prime Minister Trudeau stressed the need of combating violence and extremism in all of its manifestations while recognizing Canada’s dedication to freedom of speech within its diverse population. He acknowledged the freedom of speech but vowed to make sure that Canada’s government remained vigilant in battling all forms of violence and extremism.
According to reports, the Indian government has requested Canadian authorities to take proper action in advance of scheduled demonstrations by pro-Khalistan organisations on July 8 outside Indian embassies in Canada. In response, Canada reaffirmed its commitment to the Vienna Conventions and stressed how seriously it takes its commitments regarding the protection of diplomats by assuring India that its diplomats would be secure.
Melanie Joly, the foreign minister of Canada, also released a statement denouncing the “unacceptable” publicity for the Khalistan protest that has been going around. Asserting Canada’s commitment to inclusion and the values upheld by the Vienna Conventions, Minister Joly highlighted that the conduct of a small number of people should not be interpreted as emblematic of a whole community or of Canada as a whole.