TORONTO: The Government of India demonstrated strong protest against Canada over the presence of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at a Khalistan event held in Toronto. Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Gopal Baglay said, “We have taken up such issues in the past with the government of Canada, and in this particular instance, without getting into details, I can tell you the practice has not been discontinued.” The event also saw the felicitation of two legislators who had authored a motion in the Ontario assembly, calling the 1984 anti-Sikh riots “Genocide”.
Trudeau addressed a parade for 'Khalsa Day' on April 30, which featured floats glorifying Sikh militant leaders Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, Amreek Singh, and former General Shahbeg Singh. Organised by the Ontario Sikhs and Gurdwara Council, the procession felicitated Harinder Kaur Malhi, legislator from Trudeau's Liberal Party. The issue of emerging anti-India elements have long been raised by India, which called it a “misguided motion based on a limited understanding of India, its constitution, society, ethos, rule of law, and its judicial process.”
New Delhi conveyed its unhappiness with both, the High Commission in Delhi, and Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan who met with counter-part Arun Jaitley on April 18.
