India-Canada: Khalistan supporters demonstrated in Vancouver, security increased at Indian Consulate

Posted on 26th Sep 2023 by rohit kumar

The tension between Canada and India is not slowing down. Both countries have expelled each other's top diplomats. Meanwhile, dozens of Khalistan supporters protested against the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar outside the Indian Consulate in Vancouver. The protesters waved Khalistan flags, played music, and raised slogans. During this, some protesters insulted the Indian flag outside the Indian Consulate. Similar protests took place in Toronto. Meanwhile, the Vancouver Police Department has increased security at the Indian Consulate and closed nearby roads as a precaution.

 

Barricades installed at the entrance of the Indian Consulate

According to Canadian media reports, barricades have been erected to block the entrance to the Indian Consulate on Howe Street. According to the news, the World Sikh Organization has already issued a warning regarding the possibility of provocation and interference. Therefore the police were already alert.

World Sikh Organization gave this call regarding the murder of Nijjar

The organisation's chief Tejinder Singh Sidhu, in a statement, demanded that Nijjar's killers be traced. According to the news, Sidhu further said that if people in the community feel unsafe or see attempts to incite violence, we encourage them to immediately contact law enforcement agencies.

 

Vancouver police said- to adopt alternative routes until further notice

Howe Street is closed to vehicle traffic between W. Cordova and W. Hastings Street, Vancouver Police said in a post on X. Please plan an alternate route until further notice.

Justin Trudeau accuses India of involvement in murder

The tension between India and Canada has increased since Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made outrageous allegations of India's involvement in the September 18 shooting death of Khalistan Tiger Force chief Nijjar.

The Foreign Ministry rejected the statements

At the same time, India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement, that we have seen the statement given by the Prime Minister of Canada in his Parliament and the statement of the Foreign Minister and have rejected it. Allegations of the Indian government's involvement in any act of violence in Canada are absurd and (politically) motivated.

He said, 'Similar allegations were made by the Prime Minister of Canada to our Prime Minister and they were completely rejected. We are a democracy with a strong commitment to the rule of law.

 

Sri Lanka supported India

Sri Lanka's outgoing High Commissioner to India, Melinda Moragoda, has said India's response to Canada's allegations has been 'strong and direct' and Colombo supports New Delhi in the matter. Addressing a press conference, he said that the people of Sri Lanka have suffered losses due to terrorism and his country has a policy of zero tolerance towards terrorism.

 

Sri Lanka faced terrorism for forty years

Asked about Canada's allegations against India, he said, 'I think India's response has been strong and direct. And I think as far as we are concerned, we support India on this. Moreover, now in my lifetime, I am 60 years old, and 40 years of my life have been spent facing various forms of terrorism in Sri Lanka. I have lost many friends and colleagues due to terrorism.

 

“We all mean that many Sri Lankans have died because of terrorism,” he said. So, I think our position on these matters is very clear because we have suffered and we have suffered. And as a country that has gone through tolerance for terrorism, it has zero tolerance.

 

Tension between the two countries should be resolved through dialogue: Indians

Indians living in Canada are worried about the ongoing diplomatic tussle between the two countries. Senior Canadian journalist Harleem Saadia says that the concern of Indians is justified. Because, due to the diplomatic tussle between the two countries, the lives of common people have started getting affected. Canadian citizen Gurjant Singh says, that as a Sikh, both his countries are very important. He says that like many people, he is also worried due to the current tension and wants the matter to be resolved through talks.

 

Regarding the allegations made by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on India, Singh said that a Prime Minister should not make such claims that he cannot fulfill. At the same time, Canadian citizen Ajaib Singh says that there should be talks between the two countries with respect. Along with this, he said that both countries should decide that due to this dispute, the future of millions of students coming from India is in danger.

We are deeply concerned by Canada's allegations: US State Department

On the India-Canada dispute, US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said, 'We are very concerned by the allegations referred to by Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau. We are in close contact with our Canadian colleagues. We believe it is important that Canada's investigation move forward and that the perpetrators be brought to justice. We have publicly and privately urged the Indian government to cooperate with Canada's investigation.

 

Also Read: Three big decisions of Modi government against Canada, read why rift broke out between the two countries in 72 hours