India Condemns Assassination Float at Canadian Event, Urges Action Against Hatred

India has raised serious concerns with Canadian authorities after a float depicting the assassination of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi appeared at an event in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) on Sunday. This follows a similar float displayed during a Khalistani demonstration at the Indian consulate in Vancouver last week.

India’s High Commissioner to Ottawa, Sanjay Kumar Verma, emphasized the need for Canadian authorities to take decisive action against such public displays of violence and hatred. “We sincerely urge all levels of governments in Canada to take exemplary action against the public display of violence and hatred,” Verma stated, according to the Hindustan Times. The issue has been formally brought to the attention of Global Affairs Canada, the country’s foreign ministry.

The controversial float, part of a demonstration in Brampton commemorating the 40th anniversary of Operation Bluestar, featured an effigy of Indira Gandhi being shot by her bodyguards. It also included posters stating her ‘punishment’ was ‘delivered’ on October 31, 1984, the date of her assassination.

The display further featured images of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a pro-Khalistan figure killed in Surrey, British Columbia on June 18, 2023, alongside Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s statement about ‘credible allegations’ of Indian agents’ involvement in the murder. A photo of Prime Minister Narendra Modi with the caption ‘punishment waiting’ was also included.

Verma highlighted the intimidation felt by Indian nationals in Canada due to the propagation of such hatred. “Indian nationals living in Canada feel intimidated by such hatred being propagated. Unfortunately, this has happened in Canada time and again. Canadian systems and society have failed to put any cost on the perpetrators,” he said.

Following the Vancouver event, India announced its intention to formally address the issue with Canadian authorities. A senior Indian official confirmed to Hindustan Times that a formal diplomatic complaint, a note verbale, would be conveyed to Global Affairs Canada.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar criticized Canada for allowing the float, stating, “There is a larger underlying issue about the space which is given to separatists, to extremists, to people who advocate violence. It is not good for relationships, not good for Canada.”

Canada’s High Commissioner in India, Cameron MacKay, also condemned the Brampton incident. “I am appalled by reports of an event in Canada that celebrated the assassination of late Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi,” MacKay wrote on social media platform X. He reiterated that there is no place in Canada for hate or the glorification of violence.

Indira Gandhi was assassinated in 1984 by two Sikh bodyguards after authorizing the storming of the holiest Sikh temple in Amritsar to remove separatists demanding an independent homeland, Khalistan. This action angered Sikhs worldwide, with the death toll from the operation disputed between Indian authorities and Sikh groups.

Canada, which hosts the largest Sikh population outside of Punjab, India, has faced previous concerns from India regarding pro-Khalistan protesters breaching the security of Indian diplomatic missions. “There is no place in Canada for hate or for the glorification of violence. I categorically condemn these activities,” MacKay said.