The Union Government of India on April 29, 2024, summoned the Canadian Deputy High Commissioner to the Ministry of External Affairs after pro-Khalistan slogans were raised at an event attended by the Canada’s PM Justin Trudeau.
In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said that the Canadian diplomat was conveyed India’s “deep concern and strong protest at such disturbing actions being allowed to continue unchecked at the event.”
“This illustrates once again the political space that has been given to Canada to separatism, extremism, and violence. Their continued expressions not only impact India-Canada relations but also encourage a climate of violence and criminality in Canada to the detriment of its own citizens,” the statement read.
On April 28, 2024, Canadian PM Justin Trudeau attended a Khalsa Day celebration event in Toronto. Videos from the event showed pro-Khalistani slogans were raised as Trudeau was addressing the crowd. In his speech, Trudeau went on to assure that the Sikh community that the Canadian government would protect their rights and freedoms at all costs.
“To the nearly 800,000 Canadians of Sikh heritage across this country, we will always be there to protect their rights and freedoms and we will always defend your community against hatred and discrimination, said Trudeau.
He also said, “We are strong not in spite of our differences, but because of our differences; but even as we look at these differences we have to remember and get reminded on days such as this and every day that Sikh values are Canadian values.
As Trudeau delivered his speech at the Toronto event, pro-Khalistani chants were heard throughout especially “Khalistan Zindabad.” The video of the event went viral on social media site X, Khalistani separatists and the Canadian government policies which do not restrict them from spreading Hinduphobia and anti-India hatred have led to the deterioration of India-Canada ties. Khalistani separatists have been tied to incidents of vandalism of Hindu temples as well as attacks on Indian diaspora.
Besides Trudeau, others who were present included Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, New Democratic Party (NDP) leader Jagmeet Singh and Toronto mayor Olivia Chow attended the event. Khalsa Day is also known as Vaisakhi, the day that marks the celebration of the Sikh New Year.
Trudeau upset India with allegations that the New Delhi was involved in the killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar last year. In response to the allegations, India had called them as “absurd” and “politically motivated.”
