NEW DELHI: Khalistani elements in Canada recently reenacted former PM Indira Gandhi’s assassination at a public rally – days after the country’s NSA alleged Indian interference, promoting condemnation from Indians who accused PM Justin Trudeau of harboring separatists.
As per videos circulating online, a float depicted Gandhi’s body riddled with bullets by two of her Sikh bodyguards at a parade organized by Khalistani supporters in Brampton, Canada, on June 4.
Gandhi was killed by her bodyguards when she was preparing for a media interview months after the Operation Blue Star that eliminated Khalistani terrorist Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale hiding in the Golden Temple in 1984.
The controversial float has drawn widespread condemnation from social media users belonging to across the political spectrum, with External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar leading the charge.
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“India fails to understand why Canada gives space to separatists and extremists, other than vote bank politics,” said Dr. Jaishankar at a press conference in New Delhi.
Though Canadian High Commissioner in New Delhi, Cameron MacKay, said he was “appalled” by the incident and emphasized that such incidents have no place in Canada.\
Does it help Canada’s ‘Indo-Pacific strategy’? A float depicting murder of late Indian PM by her Sikh bodyguards being part of about 5 KM long parade in city of Brampton on June 4th. Jody Thomas may reflect on it! pic.twitter.com/rBFn7vMKyz
— Balraj Deol (@BalrajDeol4) June 6, 2023
However, it was not a satisfactory response for many Indians who pointed out that Canadian National Security Advisor Jody Thomas has the gall to accuse India of being the top source of foreign interference in Canada – conveniently ignoring Ottawa’s history of encouraging and promoting Indian separatists.
Canadian PM Trudeau has long been accused of falling to the agenda of New Democratic Party (NDP) leader Jagmeet Singh, a known Khalistani supporter.
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“Does it help Canada’s ‘Indo-Pacific strategy’? A float depicting the murder of the late Indian PM by her Sikh bodyguards being part of about a 5 KM long parade in the city of Brampton on June 4th. Jody Thomas may reflect on it,” wrote journalist Balraj Deol, who lives in Brampton.
Congress leader Gaurav Pandhi tweeted, “Anyone who takes pleasure in the assassination of former Prime Minister Smt. Indira Gandhi undoubtedly aligns themselves with terrorism and extremism. By permitting a parade in Brampton that portrayed the assassination of Smt. Indira Gandhi, the Canadian government, under the leadership of Justin Trudeau, has either knowingly or unknowingly become complicit in promoting extremism.”
Political commentator Anshul Saxena wrote, “How did Canada allow this? Celebrating the killing of a former Prime Minister of India is not freedom of expression. Shame on Justin Trudeau’s government, which relies on Khalistani elements for the vote bank.”