Amid strained relations between India and Canada, a recent incident involving Khalistani extremists in Brampton, Ontario, has sparked fresh concerns. The incident involved the display of imagery glorifying the assassination of former Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. Canadian High Commissioner to India, Cameron MacKay, responded swiftly, stating that the promotion of violence is unacceptable in Canada. He clarified the government’s position that such actions will not be tolerated.
This development comes at a time when India-Canada ties are at an all-time low. The tensions began in November 2023 when Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged that India was involved in the killing of a Khalistani terrorist in British Columbia. India strongly rejected these claims, calling them absurd. Diplomatic expulsions followed from both sides, further straining relations.
Canadian Parliament member Chandra Arya, who is of Indian origin, expressed concern over the actions of Khalistani terrorists in the country. He highlighted their attempts to instill fear in the Hindu-Canadian community by displaying posters of Gandhi’s assassination.
India’s High Commissioner to Ottawa, Sanjay Kumar Verma, urged the Canadian authorities to take exemplary action against the public display of violence and hatred. He emphasized that Indian nationals living in Canada feel intimidated by such actions, which have occurred repeatedly. Verma criticized the Canadian systems and society for failing to hold perpetrators accountable.
Canada has been the epicenter of anti-India movements by Khalistani extremist groups in recent years. These groups have engaged in hate speech, threatening posters, and vandalizing Hindu temples. The recent incident in Brampton has raised concerns about the ongoing threat posed by these elements and the need for decisive action from the Canadian government.
