TORONTO, June 9: Pro-Khalistan events held in Canada over the weekend have sparked controversy after featuring violent imagery, including a reenactment of the assassination of former Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, despite recent calls by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney against importing foreign conflicts into the country.
The events were organised in the Greater Toronto Area and Vancouver, days after Carney reiterated that newcomers to Canada should leave behind “the world’s hatreds” and embrace shared Canadian values.
According to separatist group **Sikhs for Justice> (SFJ), an activist associated with the organisation staged a symbolic reenactment of Indira Gandhi’s assassination outside the Indian Consulate in Vancouver. The group said the demonstration depicted the manner in which Gandhi was assassinated on October 31, 1984.
Meanwhile, a separate event in the Greater Toronto Area featured a float portraying the assassination and displayed images of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale and Talwinder Singh Parmar. Canadian authorities have previously identified Parmar as one of the key figures behind the 1985 bombing of Air India Flight 182 bombing, also known as the Kanishka tragedy, which killed 329 people.
The displays came just weeks before the 41st anniversary of the Air India bombing, the deadliest terrorist attack in Canadian history.
Reacting to the events, the National Alliance of Indo-Canadians expressed concern over what it described as the public glorification of violence by Canada-based Khalistan extremists.
The criticism comes amid growing scrutiny of Canada-based Khalistan extremist activities. In its latest annual report, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) stated that ongoing involvement in violent extremist activities by Canada-based Khalistan extremists continues to pose a national security threat to Canada and Canadian interests.
The report also warned that some individuals linked to such activities maintain connections with Canadian citizens and institutions, which may be used to advance extremist agendas and raise funds.
Commenting on the issue, Hindu Canadian Foundation president Arunesh Giri welcomed Prime Minister Carney’s remarks but called for stronger enforcement measures to curb hate and intimidation in public spaces.
Carney has highlighted proposed legislation under Bill C-9, which seeks to strengthen Canada’s Criminal Code by introducing new offences related to intimidation at places of worship, schools and community institutions, as well as provisions targeting hate propaganda and the public display of certain terrorism-related or hate symbols.
While the legislation is expected to expand legal tools against hate crimes, its effectiveness in addressing violent imagery displayed at pro-Khalistan events remains to be tested. (Agencies)
