‘Not All Hindus…’: Trudeau Counters India, But Admits Canada’s Khalistan Problem In The Process
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Justin Trudeau said that there are supporters of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government in Canada but they do not represent all Hindu Canadians as a whole
Trudeau’s remarks came while he was addressing the Indian Canadian diaspora in Ottawa Parliament Hill during Diwali celebrations last week. (AFP File)
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has said that there are supporters of Khalistan in Canada but they do not represent Sikh community as a whole.
The Canadian PM’s acknowledgement about Khalistan supporters in the country vindicates India’s stand that Trudeau government is sheltering Khalistani separatists.
Trudeau’s remarks came while he was addressing the Indian Canadian diaspora in Ottawa Parliament Hill during Diwali celebrations last week.
He went on to say that there are supporters of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government in Canada but they do not represent all Hindu Canadians as a whole.
Trudeau’s comments came amid ongoing diplomatic tensions between New Delhi and Ottawa following Trudeau’s allegations in September last year of a “potential” involvement of Indian agents in Khalistan extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar’s killing. New Delhi had rejected Trudeau’s charges as “absurd” and “baseless”.
The ties further strained when Trudeau recently named Indian High Commissioner Sanjay Kumar Verma as a person of interest in an investigation, without naming the case. A person of interest means a suspect who is not arrested.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) had strongly rejected the Trudeau government’s claims, calling them “preposterous imputations”. India then expelled six Canadian diplomats and asked them to leave India by or before October 19, 2024, Saturday. New Delhi also recalled its High Commissioner and other diplomats from Ottawa, indicating a significant downgrading of ties with Canada.
Trudeau later admitted that he had not provided India with concrete proof regarding the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar on Canadian soil while testifying before the Public Inquiry into Foreign Interference in Federal Electoral Processes and Democratic Institutions in Ottawa, bolstering India’s claims.
Brampton Temple Attack
Last week, a group of protestors holding banners in support of Khalistan disrupted a consular event attended by Indian officials at Brampton’s Hindu Mandir. The protestors allegedly thrashed people with sticks outside the temple.
The violence initially broke out at the Hindu temple in Brampton on Sunday afternoon after members of a group called Sikhs for Justice held a protest while Indian consular officials were visiting.
The incident was condemned, including by Canadian PM and opposition leader Pierre Poilievre. Trudeau emphasised every Canadian’s right to practice their faith freely and safely.
Further, the Ministry of External Affairs of India said that New Delhi remains “deeply concerned” about the safety and security of Indian nationals in Canada. The MEA further called on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau-led Canadian government to protect the places of worship from such attacks on its soil.
