07-05-2023, 12:00 AM
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KhalistanIndia has issued summons to the Canadian High Commissioner as a poster released by pro-Khalistan outfits labelling Indian diplomats as “killers” sparked outrage. (Express photo for representation)

India has issued summons to the Canadian High Commissioner after posters stating “Kill India” and carrying other inflammatory content were released by pro-Khalistan leaders in Canada, fuelling a huge uproar.

The big point: An invitation to an upcoming ‘Khalistan Freedom Rally’ in Canada, which comprised of a poster titled “Kill India”, has sparked widespread outrage. Released by organisers of the pro-Khalistan movement, the flyer labels Indian High Commissioner Sanjay Kumar Verma and Consul General of India in Toronto Apoorva Srivastava as assassins of Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar.


India’s response: Ahead of the controversial rally, External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar said that the government has urged Canada not to give space to Khalistan supporters. “We have already requested our partner countries like Canada, the US, the UK and Australia where sometimes Khalistani activities happen, not to give space to Khalistanis. Because their (Khalistanis) radical, extremist thinking is neither good for us nor for them nor our relations,” he said.

“We will raise the issue of posters with those government. I think it would have already been done by now as it happened two to three days earlier,” the Union minister added. The Indian government has summoned Canadian High Commissioner Cameron MacKayove in connection with the incident.

Canada’s statement: Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs Melanie Joly has condemned the poster. “Canada takes its obligations under the Vienna Conventions regarding the safety of diplomats very seriously. Canada remains in close contact with Indian officials in light of some of the promotional material circulating online regarding a protest planned for July 8th, which are unacceptable,” she wrote on Twitter on Tuesday.

More details: The ‘Khalistan Freedom Rally’ is scheduled for July 8. According to the poster being circulated, the rally will start from Great Punjab Business Centre Malton and culminate at the Indian Embassy in Toronto. However, it can be noted that Toronto houses the Consulate General of India, not the Indian Embassy.

The backdrop: The protest comes after Hardeep Singh Nijjar, head of the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara Sahib in Surrey, Canada, was shot dead by two unknown assailants last month. Nijjar, who was chief of the separatist organisation Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF), was a wanted terrorist in India.

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