Last Updated: November 14, 2023, 09:39 IST
The ties between India and Canada came under severe strain following Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s allegations of Indian involvement in the killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. (Getty)
The groups carrying Khalistan flags allegedly threw stones at those celebrating Diwali and were also abusive to the Indian community. Sources say the police did not take any action on those pelting stones
A Diwali celebration in Brompton borough of Canada’s Quebec province was allegedly disrupted by pro-Khalistani groups who attacked the Hindus celebrating the festival of lights.
The groups carrying Khalistan flags allegedly threw stones at those celebrating Diwali and were also abusive to the Indian community. Sources say the police did not take any action on those pelting stones.
According to sources, police personnel pegged it as “internal community fight” between Hindus and Sikhs.
“The Trudeau administration is a mute spectator of every wrongdoing by Khalistanis. Attacking Hindus during festivals is really shocking. We will raise this matter through official channels,” an Indian government official said.
The ties between India and Canada came under severe strain following Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s allegations in September of a “potential” involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar on June 18 in British Columbia.
India had designated Nijjar as a terrorist in 2020. India rejected Trudeau’s allegations as “absurd” and “motivated”. In his fresh remarks last week, Trudeau said that his government reached out to India to ask them to work together in getting to the bottom of this matter.
“From the very beginning when we learned of credible allegations that agents of the Indian govt were involved in the killing of a Canadian citizen on Canadian soil, we reached out to India to ask them to work with us in getting to the bottom of this matter,” he said.
“We will continue to work with all partners as law enforcement and investigative agencies continue to do their work. Canada is a country that will always stand up for the rule of law because if might starts to make right again, if bigger countries can violate international law without consequences, then the whole world gets more dangerous for everyone,” he added.
Days after Trudeau’s allegations in September, India temporarily suspended the issuance of visas to Canadian citizens and asked Ottawa to downsize its diplomatic presence in the country to ensure parity. India resumed some visa services in Canada last month, more than a month after they were suspended.
