Posters depicting the assassination of former Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi have reportedly been put up by Khalistan supporters in Vancouver, raising concerns among Indian-origin Canadians. The incident has prompted a response from government officials. Minister of Public Safety Dominic A LeBlanc emphasized that violence is unacceptable in Canada and that law enforcement agencies are taking action. Indo-Canadian lawmaker Chandra Arya condemned the posters as an attempt to instill fear in Hindu-Canadians and urged immediate action from authorities.
Gandhi was assassinated by her Sikh bodyguards in 1984. Arya, who represents the electoral district of Nepean in the House of Commons of Canada, highlighted that the posters are a continuation of threats faced by Hindu-Canadians, including a similar float in Brampton a few years back and threats from Sikhs for Justice leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. Arya called on law enforcement agencies to take immediate action, expressing concerns that the prominence of a bindi on Gandhi’s forehead indicates that the intended targets are Hindus in Canada.
India has long expressed concerns about the space given to separatists and anti-India elements in Canada. The recent incident has further escalated tensions and has raised questions about the safety and security of Hindu Canadians.
