Amid escalating tensions in the India-Canada diplomatic relationship, Indian-origin Canadian MP Chandra Ara has shared his personal experiences with Khalistani extremism.
“I have heard concerns from Hindus across Canada regarding recent developments. As a Hindu MP, I too have experienced these concerns firsthand. Last week, I could safely participate in a Hindu event in Edmonton only under the protection of RCMP officers, as a group of Khalistani protesters staged a disruptive demonstration against me. In Canada, we have long recognised the serious problem of Khalistani violent extremism,” Ara said.
Meanwhile, he stressed that Canada does not want foreign governments interfering in its domestic matters, including those involving Khalistani extremism.
“Let me be clear: any actions or involvement by foreign state actors within Canada, in any form, are unacceptable. We do not want foreign governments interfering in Canada’s domestic matters, including those involving Khalistani extremism,” he stated.
Controversy surrounding Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar’s death
The ties between India and Canada soured after Trudeau alleged in the Canadian Parliament last year that he has “credible allegations” of India’s hand in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
India has denied all the allegations, calling them “absurd” and “motivated” and has accused Canada of giving space to extremist and anti-India elements in their country.
Nijjar, who was designated a terrorist by India’s National Investigation Agency in 2020, was shot and killed outside a Gurdwara in Surrey in June last year.
Meanwhile, Canadian PM Trudeau on Wednesday admitted that his government had not provided India with hard evidence but just intelligence regarding the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar on Canadian soil.
In response to Trudeau’s statement, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in an official statement, “What we have heard today only confirms what we have been saying consistently all along – Canada has presented us no evidence whatsoever in support of the serious allegations that it has chosen to level against India and Indian diplomats.”
