India Lodges Strong Protest Over Anti-India Parade in Canada, Demands Firm Action Against Threats
India has lodged a strong diplomatic protest with the Canadian High Commission in New Delhi over an anti-India parade held in Toronto. The protest highlights the use of objectionable and threatening language, as well as the display of effigies of Indian political leaders, during a parade organized by pro-Khalistan elements at the Malton Gurudwara. India has called on Canadian authorities to take immediate and strict action against those responsible for promoting hatred, separatism, and threats against Indian citizens.
Official Complaint Registered with Canadian High Commission
According to official sources, the Government of India has expressed deep concern and conveyed its displeasure in strong terms to the Canadian High Commission. The parade, which took place in Toronto, featured highly objectionable depictions and threatening slogans directed at Indian leadership and Indian-origin individuals residing in Canada. The protest lodged by India emphasized the need to curb such activities that not only threaten bilateral relations but also spread a dangerous narrative of extremism and communal hatred.
Demand for Action Against Anti-National and Hate-Driven Elements
India has urged Canada to take decisive action against individuals and groups involved in the parade who are propagating terrorism, separatism, and anti-national rhetoric. The use of offensive language, hate speech, and inflammatory visuals targeting Indian leaders such as Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar was strongly condemned. Effigies of these leaders were carried by participants during the rally, further escalating the gravity of the incident.
Khalistani Rally Promotes Hate Against Hindus
On Sunday, Khalistan supporters organized a parade at the Malton Gurudwara in Toronto that went beyond criticism of the Indian government. It included open calls for the expulsion of nearly 800,000 Hindus from Canada, waving of Khalistani flags, and dissemination of anti-Hindu and anti-India slogans. This alarming development has raised serious concerns over the safety and well-being of Indian-origin communities in Canada, especially Hindus who were directly targeted in the demonstration.
Canadian Journalist Raises Alarm Over Rising Hate
A video of the parade shared on social media by Canadian journalist Daniel Boardman shows Khalistani activists parading through the streets while promoting anti-Hindu rhetoric. In his post, Boardman expressed concern about the growing influence of extremist groups, saying, “These jihadists are wreaking havoc on our streets, threatening Jews and destroying our social harmony.” He questioned whether Canada under Mark Carney would be any different from the current administration led by Justin Trudeau.
Another user, Shawn Binda, echoed similar concerns, stating that the Khalistani group at Malton Gurudwara was openly calling for Hindus to be deported to India. Binda emphasized that the targets of this hate included people from a wide range of countries such as Trinidad, Guyana, Suriname, Jamaica, South Africa, Netherlands, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Singapore, and Kenya—many of whom have made Canada their home.
Diplomatic Context: A New Chapter with Mark Carney?
The controversial parade comes shortly after Mark Carney’s significant electoral victory in Canada, which had raised hopes for a potential reset in India-Canada relations. With relations between the two countries already strained—particularly after Prime Minister Trudeau’s 2023 allegations about India’s involvement in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar—India’s latest protest underscores the urgency of addressing growing extremism and safeguarding the interests of the Indian diaspora.