Toronto: In a show of unity and support, members of the Indian community gathered outside the Indian consulate in Toronto, Canada, on Saturday (local time) to protect their diplomats and the consulate office from a pro-Khalistan protest. The Indian Diaspora displayed their patriotism by raising slogans such as “Bharat Mata ki jai” (Hail Mother India), “Vande Mataram” (I bow to thee, Mother), “Long Live India,” and “Khalistan Murdabad” (Down with Khalistan). They also carried placards stating, “Khalistanis are not Sikhs” and “Canada, stop supporting Khalistani Canadian terrorists.” Disturbingly, the purported video footage revealed pro-Khalistani protesters disrespecting the Indian Tricolour.
The pro-Khalistani elements had announced their intention to hold rallies outside Indian missions in the UK, US, Canada, and Australia on Saturday, following the alleged killing of Khalistan Tiger Force chief Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada last month. Furthermore, threatening posters aimed at Indian ambassadors to Canada and the US, as well as the Consulate General in Toronto, emerged, raising concerns. In recent months, Canada has witnessed three significant incidents involving Khalistani separatists, which have further fuelled tensions.
On Monday, India expressed its concerns regarding threats to its diplomats after posters containing information about a pro-Khalistan rally scheduled for July 8 in Canada were circulated. These posters, allegedly disseminated by Sikh extremists, specifically named the Indian High Commissioner to Canada, Sanjay Kumar Verma, and the Consulate General of India in Toronto, Apoorva Srivastava, accusing them of involvement in the alleged killing of Khalistan Tiger Force chief Nijjar. India has voiced its apprehensions over the safety of its diplomatic personnel and the need to address the escalating tensions surrounding the pro-Khalistan movement.
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