Close X
Friday, November 29, 2024
ADVT 
National

Sikh rally in Toronto with multi-party support prompts India diplomatic rebuke

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 29 Apr, 2024 04:08 PM
  • Sikh rally in Toronto with multi-party support prompts India diplomatic rebuke

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau joined Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh at the Khalsa Day rally in Toronto on Sunday.

The rally commemorates the Sikh faith, and some participants chanted and carried banners emblazoned with slogans calling for a state separate from India, known as Khalistan.

India formally summoned Canada's deputy high commissioner Monday, and the country's foreign ministry decried what it called "disturbing actions being allowed to continue unchecked at the event."

India's foreign ministry didn't specify what it took issue with, but noted there were displays of separatism and alleged this illustrates Canada tolerating "extremism and violence."

New Delhi and Ottawa have been at odds over the issue for decades, and the relationship has been significantly strained since Trudeau accused India of playing a role in the slaying of a Canadian Sikh leader last year. 

Canada insists it will not infringe on free speech, including when Sikh people call for the existence of Khalistan. 

But India says these comments violate its constitution.

India has pointed out instances of people in Canada openly glorifying those linked to the 1985 bombing of an Air India plane, whose passengers were largely Canadian citizens. 

Human-rights groups says the country's Hindu nationalist government has increasingly persecuted minorities in recent years.

Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly's office did not immediately comment on India's rebuke Monday. 

Joly has repeatedly said she wants to navigate the diplomatic rift with India in private. 

MORE National ARTICLES

Non-profit buys two B.C. co-ops

Non-profit buys two B.C. co-ops
Premier David Eby says the first purchase using the government's Rental Protection Fund will save 290 affordable rental units in two housing co-ops that have expired leases and were facing the prospect of being sold out from under the residents. Eby says the government's fund will contribute $71 million towards the $125 million acquisition in the Metro Vancouver city of Coquitlam by the non-profit Community Land Trust of B.C.

Non-profit buys two B.C. co-ops

Dental providers aren't smiling about reimbursement under federal plan

Dental providers aren't smiling about reimbursement under federal plan
Some dentists and hygienists fear they won't be fairly paid for services under a new federal dental plan, and they worry it will jeopardize the success of the massive program. Each province and territory has its own guide to how much dental services cost.

Dental providers aren't smiling about reimbursement under federal plan

Home builders group pushing for 30-year mortgages to boost construction in Canada

Home builders group pushing for 30-year mortgages to boost construction in Canada
The group that represents residential builders in Canada wants Ottawa to offer a 30-year amortization period for insured mortgages on new homes. The Canadian Home Builders' Association says extending the period an additional five years would help with affordability and spur more construction. 

Home builders group pushing for 30-year mortgages to boost construction in Canada

Joly urges more funding to hire Canadian diplomats, amid Liberal cutbacks on spending

Joly urges more funding to hire Canadian diplomats, amid Liberal cutbacks on spending
Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly is asking MPs to support more funding for Global Affairs Canada, despite the Liberals undertaking cutbacks across the government. Joly says that the United States, France and rapidly developing countries are staffing up to meet the challenges of an increasingly complex world.   

Joly urges more funding to hire Canadian diplomats, amid Liberal cutbacks on spending

Global Affairs Canada 'aware of reports' of missing Canadian in Gaza Strip

Global Affairs Canada 'aware of reports' of missing Canadian in Gaza Strip
Ottawa says it is aware of reports that another Canadian citizen has gone missing in the Gaza Strip. Global Affairs Canada says it is providing consular assistance to the family but can't share more because of privacy considerations.   

Global Affairs Canada 'aware of reports' of missing Canadian in Gaza Strip

Tobacco firm 'disappointed' in B.C. restriction on flavoured nicotine pouch sales

Tobacco firm 'disappointed' in B.C. restriction on flavoured nicotine pouch sales
A major Canadian tobacco company says it is "extremely disappointed" by British Columbia's decision to move the sale of flavoured nicotine pouches behind pharmacy counters. Premier David Eby announced the restriction on Wednesday, saying the province issued the order to prevent children coming into contact with a "hazardous" and "addictive" product while Health Canada looks into the regulation of sales.

Tobacco firm 'disappointed' in B.C. restriction on flavoured nicotine pouch sales