India summons Canada envoy after Trudeau attends pro-Khalistan event in Toronto

Pro-Khalistan slogans were raised at an event in Toronto as Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau addressed the crowd. The pro-Khalistan slogans were raised at the Khalsa Day celebration on Sunday.

In his speech, Trudeau went on to assure the Sikh community that the Canadian government would protect their rights and freedoms at all costs.

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, New Democratic Party (NDP) leader Jagmeet Singh, and Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow were among those who attended the Khalsa Day celebration in Toronto.

India summoned the Canadian Deputy High Commissioner and expressed strong objection to the pro-Khalistan slogans raised during a public event in Toronto in the presence of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Monday said, “The Canadian Deputy High Commissioner was today summoned to the Ministry of External Affairs with regard to the raising of separatist slogans on ‘Khalistan’ at an event which was being personally addressed by the Prime Minister of Canada.”

The Toronto event held on Sunday on the occasion of Khalsa Day celebration was also attended by Opposition leader Pierre Poilievre and Trudeau’s ruling coalition partner, New Democratic Party leader Jagmeet Singh.

“The government of India’s deep concern and strong protest was conveyed at such disturbing actions being allowed to continue unchecked at the event. This illustrates once again the political space that has been given in Canada to separatism, extremism and violence. Their continued expressions not only impact India-Canada relations but also encourage a climate of violence and criminality in Canada to the detriment of its own citizens,” MEA said.

The event covered by the Canadian media showed Trudeau walk up to the stage for his address to mark Khalsa Day amid the chants of “Khalistan Zindabad”.

In his address during the Khalsa Day celebration in Toronto, Trudeau said, “We gather here today to remember that one of Canada’s greatest strengths is its diversity. We are strong, not in spite of our differences, but because of our differences. But even as we look at these differences, we have to remember and get reminded on days such as this and every day, that Sikh values are Canadian values.”

Ties between India and Canada have been adversely affected since last year, after Trudeau alleged that Indian government was involved in the killing of Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

He had also vowed to always protect the rights and freedoms of Sikhs in Canada and defend the community against hatred and discrimination.